Birthday's to share this week : 29th November - 5th December 2015.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Ben Stiller does on 30th November - check out my tribute to this Birthday Boy, turning 50, 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 29th November

• Anna Faris - Born 1976, turns 39 - Actress | Producer
• Don Cheadle - Born 1964, turns 51 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director
• Andrew McCarthy - Born 1962, turns 53 - Actor | Director
• Tom Sizemore - Born 1961, turns 54 - Actor | Producer | Writer
• Joel Coen - Born 1954, turns 61 - Director | Producer | Writer

Monday 30th November

• Ridley Scott - Born 1937, turns 78 - Director | Producer 
• Terrence Malick - Born 1943, turns 72 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Mandy Patinkin - Born 1952, turns 63 - Actor
• David Yates - Born 1963, turns 52 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Ben Stiller - Born 1965, turns 50 - Actor | Producer | Director | Writer
• Marc Foster - Born 1969, turns 46 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Gael Garcia Bernal - Born 1978, turns 37 - Actor | Director | Producer | Writer

Tuesday 1st December 

• Woody Allen - Born 1935, turns 80 - Director | Writer | Actor
• Bette Midler - Born 1945, turns 70 - Actress | Producer | Singer
• Zoe Kravitz - Born 1988, turns 37 - Actress

Wednesday 2nd December

• Lucy Liu - Born 1968, turns 47 - Actress | Producer | Director
• Britney Spears - Born 1981, turns 34 - Singer | Producer | Actress

Thursday 3rd December

• Amanda Seyfried - Born 1985, turns 30 - Actress | Singer
• Julianne Moore - Born 1960, turns 55 - Actress | Producer
• Daryl Hannah - Born 1960, turns 55 - Actress | Producer
• Brendan Fraser - Born 1968, turns 47 - Actor | Producer

Friday 4th December

• Jeff Bridges - Born 1949, turns 66 - Actor | Producer | Singer
• Ronnie Corbett - Born 1930, turns 85 - Actor | Television Personality
• Tyra Banks - Born 1973, turns 42 - Actress | Producer | Writer
• Marisa Tomei - Born 1964, turns 51 - Actress | Producer

Saturday 5th December

• Nick Stahl - Born 1979, turns 36 - Actor | Producer
• Frankie Muniz - Born 1985, turns 30 - Actor | Producer

Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller was born in New York City to mother and Actress Anne Meara who passed away earlier this year aged 85 having worked on stage, screen and television since the mid-'50's. His father, Jerry Stiller is a comedian and Actor, who like his late wife has been a stage, television and film presence since the mid-'50's. Growing up in show business the young Ben was taken frequently on set, stating that in his early years there was " . . . a lot of travelling, a lot of late nights, not what you would call traditional". He has an older sister, Amy with whom he would make Super 8 movies when they were growing up, with various other friends. He made his acting debut at nine years of age on his mothers television show - a short-lived legal drama series 'Kate McShane' in 1975. 

Taking part in the NYC First All Children's Theatre in the late '70's and gaining inspiration from 'Second City Television' - a Canadian TV Sketch Comedy Show, the young Stiller decided that sketch comedy was where he wanted to be. He attended The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine and graduated from the co-ed The Calhoun School in 1983 after which he started as an opening act on the cabaret circuit. He enrolled as a film student at UCLA, and after nine months returned to NYC and began auditioning for roles, and searching for an Agent.

At 15 Stiller gained a bit part in television soap 'Guiding Night' having to deliver just one single line of dialogue . . . but I guess you gotta start somewhere! In 1986 he was cast in the Broadway production of 'The House of Blue Leaves' which subsequently picked up four Tony Awards. His big screen debut came in 1987's 'Hot Pursuit' with John Cusack and Jerry Stiller playing the on-screen Dad to Stiller the younger. That same year there was a small role too in Spielberg's 'Empire of the Sun'. In 1989 Stiller began writing and starring in 'Saturday Night Live', but with a strong desire to make short films he left after just four shows.

And so he made 'Elvis Stories' - a short with John Cusack, Mike Meyers, Jeremy Piven and then 'Going Back to Brooklyn' for MTV which so impressed the Producers there that he was offered his own experimental thirteen episode show called aptly 'The Ben Stiller Show'. The series was scrapped after its first season but relaunched in 1992 this time by Fox, and went on to win an Emmy Award after it too was cancelled.

In 1992 Stiller was asked to Direct 'Reality Bites' in his debut as Director in the film in which he also starred. This was followed in 1995 with 'Heavyweights', 'Happy Gilmore', 'If Lucy Fell' and 'Flirting with Disaster' before taking on his next Directing gig with the Jim Carey vehicle 'The Cable Guy'.

It was 1998's Farrelly Brothers classic comedy 'There's Something About Mary' with Cameron Diaz as the hapless Mary, that propelled Stiller's career ever skyward. That same year there was more dramatic fare too with 'Zero Effect', 'Permanent Midnight' and 'Your Friends and Neighbours', with 'Mystery Men' and 'Black & White' seeing out the decade.

The start of the new decade saw more comedic offerings with 'Meet the Parents' for which he would reprise his role as Greg Focker in 'Meet the Fockers' in 2004 and 'Little Fockers' in 2010. 2001 saw 'Zoolander' - his own creation which he also Directed, and 'The Royal Tenenbaums' with 'Duplex' in 2003, 'Along Came Polly' in 2004, the big screen rendition of 'Starskey & Hutch' that same year, with 'Envy', 'Dodgeball : A True Underdog Story' and 'Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgundy' that year too.

'School for Scoundrels', 'Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny' and 'Night at the Museum' followed in 2006 - the latter role he would also reprise again in 2009's 'Night at the Museum : Battle of the Smithsonian' and again in 2014 in 'Night at the Museum : Secret of the Tomb'. 'Tropic Thunder' which he Directed and starred in was followed by 'Greenberg' and 'I'm Still Here' in 2010, 'Tower Heist' in 2011, 'The Watch' in 2012, and his next Directing and starring feature in 2013 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'. 2014 saw 'While We're Young' with 'Zoolander 2' currently in post-production for a 2016 release, and which he has also Directed. In the meantime he has lent his voice talents to 'Madagascar' in 2005, 'Madagascar : Escape 2 Africa' in 2008, and 'Madagascar 3 : Europe's Most Wanted' in 2012, with voice work also on 'Megamind' in 2010.

There have been numerous television show appearances too throughout the years including 'The Simpsons', 'The King of Queens', 'King of the Hill', 'Extras', 'Family Guy', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', 'The Trip', 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Arrested Development'. All up Stiller has 122 Acting credits, 37 Producer credits, fifteen for Directing and another twelve for Writing. He has thirteen award wins and another 51 nominations.

In 2000, Stiller married Christine Taylor, an Actress with whom he has starred in several films including 'Zoolander', 'Tropic Thunder' and 'Dodgeball'. The couple have a daughter Ella Olivia (born in 2002) and a son Quinlan Dempsey (born in 2005). Stiller is a Democrat and has actively supported John Kerry, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Hilary Clinton. He also supports several charities including those associated with animal rights, AIDS campaigning, and child welfare and wellbeing.

Often appearing with his other Hollywood 'Frat Pack' alumni since the early '90's, his frequent collaborators and close friends are Owen and Luke Wilson, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Steve Carell and Vince Vaughn. He is also an accomplished impersonator and has in his frequent repertoire Bono, Tom Cruise, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen.

Ben Stiller - a self confessed 'Trekkie', mimic, and must be one of the busiest guys in Hollywood - on screen, behind the camera, armed with a pen and holding the cash too. Influential, sought after, in demand and can freeze you to the spot with his 'Blue Steel' gaze! Turning the BIG 5-Oh! this week, a very Happy Birthday to you Ben, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 26th November 2015.

Always searching to bring current, relevant, interesting updates to these humble pages I was keen to source some early predictions on next years Oscar's race three months out from the 28th February 2016 ceremony. The Hollywood Reporter is pitching its main contenders for Best Picture as 'The Martian', 'Bridge of Spies', 'Straight Outta Compton' which have been Reviewed previously within these pages, and the others which have yet to be seen Down Under, and they are 'The Revenant' starring Leonardo DiCaprio (7th January), 'Spotlight' starring Mark Ruffalo (28th January), 'Brooklyn' with Saoirse Ronan (11th February), 'Room' with Brie Larson (28th January), 'Joy' with Jennifer Lawrence (26th December), 'The Big Short' with Christian Bale (14th January), and 'The Danish Girl' with Eddie Redmayne (28th January). These remaining seven films are yet to make their presence felt in Australia and will be Previewed in future Posts, and will be released as indicated, but can be seen in other territories depending on where you reside on the cinematic globe. Watch out for further Oscar race updates in the coming weeks.

Sticking though with the week ahead, there are five new release movies coming your way that kick start with a long standing pugilist offering that brings this spin off tale full circle where the former champ becomes the teacher to an aspiring student that brings back many memories; then there is a another sporting story grounded in scandalous truth that shocked and rocked the world for the individual caught in the middle and the world of supporters betrayed; next up a power couple share screen time for only the second time in this 70's romantic drama set somewhere on a European coast. Following this is a family festive film featuring more comedic talent that you can shake a candy cane at; and to wrap up the week an animated feature of monsters, growing pains, and hotel guests.

With these as Previewed below, and those movies still out on general release and as either Reviewed or Previewed before, there are plenty of reasons to get to you local Odeon and take in some filmic entertainment. When you have had chance to do so, share your cinematic critique with us here at Odeon Online in the Comments section below this, or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your movie.

CREED (Rated M) - in 1976, a young Sylvester Stallone, who wrote the screenplay for a film and a character that would forever becomes etched in cinematic folklore, burst onto our screens as Rocky Balboa - 'The Italian Stallion'. He was a down at heel no hope dead end lunk of wannabe Boxer from the poorer side of Philadelphia who against all the odds went onto to a world championship bout against Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). That film won three Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Directing for John Avildsen, and was nominated for a further seven awards including Best Actor and Best Writing for Stallone. It picked up another sixteen award wins and another fourteen nominations and propelled Stallone to super stardom in the years that followed. Subsequently there have been further Rocky films in 1979, 1982, 1985, 1990 and 'Rocky Balboa' in 2006. Those six films had a combined production budget of just US$119M and all up grossed US$1.27B. In the meantime and sticking with the pugilist theme, Stallone made 'Grudge Match' in 2013 with Robert De Niro and in 1978, 'Paradise Alley' - Stallone's Directorial debut, albeit about wrestling, but, a variation on a theme!

So this brings us to 'Creed', made for US$35M and Directed by Ryan Coogler, which as the name suggests is less about Rocky and more about Creed, the younger, and son of now deceased Apollo Creed who Rocky fought in both 1976's 'Rocky' and 1982's 'Rocky II'. Adonis Johnson Creed (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his famous World Champion Boxing father Apollo, but nonetheless is following in his footsteps with aspirations of becoming a boxing champion. Knowing that he needs the proper coaching to stand any chance at a title, Adonis travels to Philadelphia to seek out Rocky, now retired and running his Italian Restaurant as he was in the 2006 film. Rocky sees a lot of Apollo in his son, and so agrees to coach and mentor him with a chance at a title bout, but will the young aspiring fighter have the strength, determination and attitude that made his father a Champion. I love a good boxing movie, so I'll be there for this next instalment in the Rocky saga that is already garnering much positive press.

THE PROGRAM (Rated M) - it was only a matter of time before this controversial and meaty recent real life story of sporting scandal made it to our big screens. Based on the David Walsh book 'Seven Deadly Sins' this film tells the story of Lance Armstrong, as Directed by Stephen Frears charting his cycling rise to fame, his seven Tour de France wins and with it his cancer beating, record winning, charity fund raising, inspirational writing, clean as a whistle persona. Until of course it all came tumbling down when the truth was outed that all along he was a drug taking cheat on the grandest scale. With Ben Foster starring as Armstrong and Chris O'Dowd as the British journalist David Walsh who all along suspected something was not quite right, but couldn't prove it, but pushed forward with his investigation nonetheless with dogged determination to reveal the truth. Also starring Jesse Plemmons as disgraced drug taking cyclist Floyd Landis, Lee Pace as Armstrong's long term Agent Bill Stapleton, Guillaume Canet as Armstrong's Italian medic Michele Ferrari, and Dustin Hoffman.

BY THE SEA (Rated MA15+) - Hollywood 'it' couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie star in this mid-70's set film Directed, Produced, Written and Starring Angelina with her husband Brad. This is only their second cinematic outing together after the 2005 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' and this time they play a couple whose marriage is in crisis so they travel to France to rediscover each other, rekindle their relationship and repair the cracks that have appeared in the wedded lives. Jolie plays Vanessa, a former dancer, and Pitt is Roland, a writer who travel through France and while they linger longer at a beach side resort they begin to be drawn in by the locals and a honeymooning couple staying in the next room. Made for US$10M this has so far had a limited release only and is sure to be of interest for those who enjoy the European romantic drama films of the 60's and 70's, when this film is set.

LOVE THE COOPERS (Rated PG) - the first of the Christmas themed fare to grace our cinema screens over the coming festive season, this comedy offering boasts an all star line up comprising Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Anthony Mackie, Ed Helms, Diane Keaton, Marisa Tomei, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, June Squibb, the voice of Steve Martin and pulled together by Director Jessie Nelson. Made for US$17M this films tells the story of four generations of the one family, the Coopers, who come together for their once a year festive gathering on Christmas Eve, but this year a series of unexpected events and visitors turn their celebrations and their festive cheer upside down and inside out. What falls out of the bottom is a new found appreciation for the meaning of family, relationships and the Christmas spirit.  Sounds like a Santa sack full of laughs!

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 (Rated PG) - the predecessor of this film was released in September 2012 off a US$85M budget grossing US$359M, and so on that basis it was a foregone conclusion that a sequel would follow. And it is, just in time for the holiday season. Once again Directed by Genndy Tartakovski, this animated feature was made for slightly less at US$80M and since its release in September elsewhere has already grossed US$420M. Bringing together the voice talents of again Adam Sandler, Mel Brooks, Kevin James, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, and Fran Drescher amongst others, the Hotel has now relaxed its rules about allowing only monster guests to stay, now admitting humans too, but in doing so Drac is concerned that his half-human half-vampire grandson Dennis is growing up without showing any of his vampiric tendencies. Drac enlists the help of his mates to coach, train and mentor Dennis in the way of the vampire, but Drac's Dad, Vlad pays a visit to the Hotel and has other plans in store for young half-blood Dennis and the human guests! Another sequel is already planned on the strength of this films success already - for September 2018.

With another strong choice of films offering sport, drama, comedy, romance, animation, something for everyone, and some familiar characters seen before, I will see you, at the Odeon!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

THE HUNGER GAMES : MOCKINGJAY Pt. 2' - Thursday 19th November 2015.

On 25th November 2014 I said this : 'And so the third film in the series and the first half of the concluding episode - 'THE HUNGER GAMES : MOCKINGJAY Pt. 1' left me feeling underwhelmed I have to say. This film is the meat in the sandwich well & truly, sitting between the spectacle and the bravura of 'Catching Fire' and what will undoubtedly be a climactic all guns blazing epic conclusion that is 'Mockingjay Pt. 2' . . . one year from now with its release on 19th November 2015'. Back then I awarded 'Mockingjay Pt.1' three claps of the clapperboard, and off a US$125M budget went on to gross US$756M at the global Box Office. So on opening night in Australian Odeon's this week I saw the final instalment in this franchise - 'THE HUNGER GAMES : MOCKINGJAY Pt. 2', which had it's worldwide Premier in Berlin on 4th November and was released stateside only on 20th November with financial expectations running high.

This film leads on directly from the end of the last film with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutchinson) still strapped to a chair recovering from his torturous treatment back in The Capitol where he was brainwashed to turn against Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and kill her - a fact he is not backward in coming forward with when Prim Everdeen (Willow Shields) reaches out to him in an attempt to determine how his recovery treatment is going. Realising that the connection they once shared Katniss seeks solace in long term friend and suitor Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) and they venture to District 2 on the edge of The Capitol with the hope of rallying the resistance against President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and forging an alliance to gain further strength to overthrow The Capitol and everything it stands for, and liberate once and for all the downtrodden citizens of Panem. In the process Katniss is shot, hits the deck, but is saved by her bullet proof vest and wakes up very bruised and battered but safe at the hands of President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) and Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Katniss takes her team into District 2, but is ordered not to engage with the resistance but rather be filmed every step of their way for television broadcast to rally the revolution against Snow and The Capitol. Needless to say upon entering The Capitol things don't go quite according to plan when they encounter the streets, buildings and city scape littered with booby traps and all manner of undesirable devices to thwart their progress. As the Team navigate onwards through in to the heart of The Capitol so they are picked off one by one including the leader designate Boggs (Mahersala Ali), then his 2i/c Commander Lyme (Gwendoline Christie) leaving Katniss in charge to now follow through and complete the mission - to kill Snow and restore democracy to Panem.

What follows is a series of set pieces in which Katniss and her remaining revolutionary followers - Gale, Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), Cressida (Natalie Dormer), Castor (Wes Chatham), Pollux (Elden Henson) and Peeta who remains unhinged whilst still coming to terms with what is truth and what is fiction and his feelings for Katniss which he has only fleeting memories of. They continue their journey inching ever closer to Snow's palatial residence from which he continues to throw deadly obstacles in their way. In the meantime both Snow and Coin continue to broadcast propaganda messages out across the Districts in a show of oneupmanship.

At the gates of Snow's Capitol residence where he has offered sanctuary to the residents of The Capitol realising that the end is near, an attack is launched that takes out the men, women, children, young & old as Katniss and Gale are caught in the cross fire and are so close, but so far away! With Gale captured by the Peacekeepers, Katniss is rendered unconscious by a nearby bomb blast and wakes being nursed by her mother, with Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) looking on.

Katniss is advised that The Capitol was overthrown, Snow deposed and Coin has established herself as the interim President of Panem. Returning to Snow's former residence with calm and peace restored she roams the rooms, halls and grounds of the estate and comes across a handcuffed Snow in the greenhouse. They talk and he instills doubts in her mind about his motives and the interests of Coin. Later Coin wants to meet out justice on Snow and his followers at the hands of Katniss in an extraordinary Hunger Games in which Snow and Katniss are to be participants. Katniss agree to participate on the condition that she can kill Snow, to which Coin agrees.

In the final analysis it doesn't end well for the principle antagonists; Katniss gets her man; Panem enters a period of peace, calm, freedom and democracy; and she lives happily ever after returning to her family home in District 13 overlooking green pastures and clear blue skies for as far as the eye can see.

I saw this film in 3D only because the timing suited me, but it is not necessary and only a few scenes benefit from the clarity and depth of field. The story is everything you would expect and films 1&2 could easily have been rolled into one single offering, and so for me this is just another excuse for a Box Office money grab. Jennifer Lawrence is the standout and carries the film without doubt, and whilst the film looks good, the action set pieces are well delivered, the story is predictable and drawn out. It was good to see Philip Seymour Hoffman once more on the big screen in his last appearance, but I never got the sense that he was taking this role too seriously, unlike what we know he was capable of.

Therefore, in the final analysis, if you have seen the previous three films you should see this final offering to see how it all ends, but don't go into your local theatre expecting anything big. This is an acceptable end to the franchise (so far) and nothing more. It's worth seeing on the big screen, but you don't have to either.



-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Birthday's to share this week : 22nd - 28th November 2015.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Mark Ruffalo does on 22nd November - check out my tribute to this Birthday Boy turning 48 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 22nd November

• Mark Ruffalo - Born 1967, turns 48 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Terry Gilliam - Born 1940, turns 75 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Robert Vaughn - Born 1932, turns 83 - Actor
• Mads Mikkelsen - Born 1965, turns 50 - Actor
• Scarlett Johansson - Born 1984, turns 31 - Actress | Director
• Jamie Lee Curtis - Born 1958, turns 57 - Actress

Monday 23rd November

• Vincent Cassel - Born 1966, turns 49 - Actor | Producer
• Franco Nero - Born 1941, turns 74 - Actor | Producer | Director | Writer
• Robert Towne - Born 1934, turns 81 - Writer | Producer | Director

Tuesday 24th November

• Stephen Merchant - Born 1974, turns 41 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Colin Hanks - Born 1977, turns 38 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Billy Connolly - Born 1942, turns 73 - Actor | Producer | Singer | Songwriter | Composer
• Kaherine Heigl - Born 1978, turns 37 - Actress | Producer

Wednesday 25th November

• Christina Applegate - Born 1971, turns 44 - Actress | Producer
• Dougray Scott - Born 1965, turns 50 - Actor | Producer
• Joel Kinnaman - Born 1979, turns 36 - Actor

Thursday 26th November

• Julien Temple - Born 1953, turns 62 - Writer | Producer | Director
• Tina Turner - Born 1939, turns 76 - Singer | Writer | Actress

Friday 27th November

• Katherine Bigelow - Born 1951, turns 64 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Robin Givens - Born 1964, turns 51 - Actress | Producer
• William Fichtner - Born 1956, turns 59 - Actor | Producer 
• Sharlto Copley - Born 1973, turns 42 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director

Saturday 28th November

• Ed Harris - Born 1950, turns 65 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Judd Nelson - Born 1959, turns 56 - Actor
• Ryan Kwanten - Born 1976, turns 39 - Actor
• Alfonso Cuaron - Born 1961, turns 54 - Director | Producer | Writer | Cinematographer | Editor
• Joe Dante - Born 1946, turns 69 - Director | Producer | Writer | Editor
• Randy Newman - Born 1943, turns 72 - Composer | Singer | Songwriter
• Jonathan Mostow - Born 1961, turns 54 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Mary Elizabeth Winstead - Born 1984, turns 31 - Actress | Producer

Mark Alan Ruffalo was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA to mother Marie Herbert, a hairdresser and stylist, and father Frank Lawrence Ruffalo, a construction painter. He has two sisters Tania and Nicole and brother Scott who was shot dead at his Beverly Hills condominium in December 2008. He was raised a Catholic and attended a Catholic School having grown up in a family unit that he describes as 'very big' with 'lots of love' and that he was a 'happy kid'. Spending his teenage years at Virginia Beach, Virginia, he took part in school wrestling competitions in his native Wisconsin and then Virginia  and upon graduating from First Colonial High School the family moved to San Diego and then Los Angeles, California. He enrolled at the Stella Adler Conservatory acting school in New York and he was co-founder of the Orpheus Theatre Company for which he wrote, Directed and starred in a number of stage plays. During this time and for nine or so years he worked as a bar tender in order to make ends meet. 

His television acting career kicked off in 1989 with a single episode on 'CBS Summer Playhouse'. His big screen debut came in the 1994 horror film 'Mirror, Mirror 2 : Raven Dance', with 'Mirror, Mirror III : The Voyeur' the following year. The next few years brought bit parts in the likes of 'The Dentist' and 'The Last Big Thing' in 1996; 'Safe Men' and '54' in 1998; and then Ang Lee's American Civil War Western drama 'Ride with the Devil' in 1999. A chance meeting with playwright, screen writer and Director Kenneth Lonergan in the mid-90's led to a number of successful collaborations in his stage play 'This is Our Youth' in 1996 and then his Oscar nominated film in 2000 'You Can Count On Me' for which Ruffalo received much critical praise.

The new decade brought more significant fare with 'The Last Castle', 'XX/XY' and 'Windtalkers' in 2002; 'My Life Without Me', 'In The Cut' in 2005; and 'The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', '13 Going On 30', and 'Collateral' in 2004. The balance of the decade saw 'Zodiac', 'Reservation Road', 'Blindness', 'The Brothers Bloom', and briefly 'Where The Wild Things Are'.

His Directorial debut came in 2010 with 'Sympathy for Delicious' which Premiered and won the Special Jury Prize at The Sundance Film Festival. That same year he starred in 'The Kids Are All Right' and Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' with Leonardo DiCaprio.

In 2012 Ruffalo joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dr. Bruce Banner AKA 'The Hulk' in the first 'The Avengers' instalment. He remains under contract to reprise the role in any future film appearance of the character in a Marvel Studios produced movie - a very astute move methinks! As a result there was a post-credits sequence in 'Iron Man 3' and this years 'The Avengers : Age of Ultron' with 'Thor : Ragnarok' due in 2017.

In between time there has been 'Thanks for Sharing' in 2013, 'Now You See Me' that same year and Ruffalo is set to reprise his role from that film in 2016's 'Now You See Me : The Second Act' currently filming. There has also been 'Begin Again', 'Infinitely Polar Bear' and 'Foxcatcher' this year with 'Spotlight' due out at Christmas.

All up Ruffalo has 62 Acting credits, four Producer credits and one Director credit. He has two Academy Award and two BAFTA nominations for 'Foxcatcher' in 2015 and 'The Kids Are All Right' in 2011,and two Golden Globe nominations for 'Foxcatcher' too and 'The Normal Heart' also from this year. He also garnered a Primetime Emmy Award win and a nomination in two different categories. both for 'The Normal Heart' in 2015 as well as a haul so far of sixteen other award wins and 77 other nominations. Plus, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his stage play role in 'Awake and Sing'.

Ruffalo is married to Actress Sunrise Coigney and together they have three children - Keen (born 2001), Bella Noche (born 2005) and Odette (born 2007). He has strong political views speaking out publicly against the War in Iraq, the Bush Administration, and the torture of prisoners. In 2006 he spoke at 'The World Can't Wait' protest in NYC; appeared on the 2008 'Penn & Teller : Bullshit' series on an episode called 'World Peace'; has supported several Democratic candidates; is pro-choice on abortion rights; and is a supporter of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. He is staunchly opposed to fracking and has publicly spoken out about this too, as well as openly criticising the Israel Defence Force for targeting a Gaza Strip hospital for attack.

Despite all his outspokenness, Mark Ruffalo has a social conscience, a moral compass, a heart in the right place and he is highly sought after playing it straight, playing it funny, playing the Superhero and you can bet we'll keep watching. Happy Birthday to you Mark, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 19th November 2015.

For the last seven years since being established in 2009, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has presented the Governors Awards in November each year as determined by the Academy's Board of Governors. These awards are the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Honorary Award with the highlights from the event being incorporated into the year's Academy Awards show. On 14th November at The Hollywood & Highland Centre, this year Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda and Laura Linney all presented an Honorary Award to Gena Rowlands; and Samuel L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes and Denzel Washington were presenting an Honorary Award to Spike Lee with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award going to Debbie Reynolds. Spike Lee was described as 'a champion of independent film and an inspiration to young filmmakers'; with Gena Rowlands as 'an original talent whose devotion to her craft has earned her worldwide recognition as an independent film icon'; and Debbie Reynolds as 'a Hollywood icon since she won hearts with her buoyant performance in 'Singin’ in the Rain.' embarked on the role of a lifetime as a founding member of the Thalians, a charitable organisation conceived and sustained by entertainers to promote awareness and treatment of mental health issues'. `Truly formidable talent worthy of such recognition, and an inspiration to many who have come along since.  For more go to : www.oscars.org/governors

For more formidable talent in the week ahead, as well as some of the great content doing the rounds and as Previewed and Reviewed in previous Posts, there are five new films coming your way. These kick off with the conclusion of a highly successful future dystopian franchise that sees democracy restored to an over powering leader at the hands of one determined woman and those that have chosen to follow her. Then a cold murder case revisited by the victims mother and her FBI colleague years later with far reaching consequences for all; followed up by unscrupulous Repo Men doing what they do best without integrity, beyond the law and devoid of emotion until one victim bounces back. We then have an all star comedic cast supported by a dog and a bunch of aliens which sounds like a recipe for a laugh a minute movie; and wrapping up the week a feel good Indian foreign language film of slums, brothers, determination and pizza!

With such diversity again this week, you'll be compelled to get to your local cinema and catch a latest release. When you have, share your thoughts, views and opinions with your like minded cinephiles here at Odeon Online by recording your critique in the Comments Box below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your movie!

THE HUNGER GAMES : MOCKINGJAY, Part 2 (Rated M) - I was rather non-plussed by the first instalment in the concluding two films in this mega franchise that has so far seen a global Box Office return of US$2.31B off combined production budgets of US$333M. In this final instalment of the trilogy written by Suzanne Collins, this US$125M film is again Directed by Francis Lawrence and sees all our favourite characters reunited for the last hurrah . . . although it seems that Lionsgate are considering prequels and further sequels even though there are only three books in the series which have already been committed to celluloid.

And so to the film which began it journey's end a year ago, we have the state of Panem engulfed in full scale all out revolutionary war. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her merry band of followers that include Peeta (Josh Hutchinson), Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claiflin) and Cressida (Natalie Dormer) converge on The Capitol and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) with the aim of taking him out once and for all, liberating the downtrodden citizens of Panem and installing a new world order. At the same time President Snow has become increasingly intent on destroying Katniss and everything she stands for. Although on the 'inside' there is Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and Johanna (Jena Malone), Katniss must play out one final game in order to overthrow The Capitol, but at what cost to herself, those she knows and loves, and the people of Panem. Also starring Stanley Tucci, Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Banks and Philip Seymour Hoffman in his last role, this is must see I think just to see how it all ends, if for no other reason.

SECRET IN THEIR EYES (Rated M) - This film is based on the 2005 novel by Argentinian writer Eduardo Sacheri that has been adapted for the big screen previously in its native Argentina and won the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2010 Academy Awards Ceremony. Now it has been Hollywood-ised and has been Directed by Billy Ray and Written by him for the screen with a budget of US$20M. The film stars Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Jess (Julia Roberts) as FBI Investigators aided by District Attorney Claire (Nicole Kidman) seeking to bring to justice the brutal murder of Jess' teenage daughter. When the case leads to a dead end and all goes cold, thirteen years later Ray returns with a new lead that may just lead them to resolve the case finally, whilst uncovering old and painful memories of the past, and revealing what vengeance can truly mean to the human psyche.

99 HOMES (Rated M) - A film of house repossessions Written, Produced, Directed and Edited by Ramin Bahrani who also came up with the story which centres upon unemployed construction worker and single Dad Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield) living with his mother Lynn (Laura Dern) in Orlando, Florida with his young son Connor (Noah Lomax). Tough, callous and unscrupulous Rick Carver (Michael Shannon) is a real estate businessman who has made his wealth by evicting struggling home owners when they fail to meet their mortgage payments. When Carver evicts Nash and his family with the help of the local Police, the distraught family move into a dead beat low end Motel thinking all is lost. But salvation is not far away in the form of Rick Carver who offers Nash a job and the chance to reclaim his family home . . . but at what cost to his family, his friends, his conscience and his humility. Made for US$8M this film has received much critical acclaim for its depiction of a situation faced by many Americans when the Global Financial Crisis hit in late 2008. It has already won a number of awards and nominations and been in competition at several International Film Festivals.

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING (Rated M) - Featuring an all star cast of comedic talent this film should be a sure fire hit . . . in theory, but alas, that does not always come to pass. Written, Directed and also starring Terry Jones, he of Monty Python fame, with an ensemble cast of Monty Python alumni that is John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and also starring the late great Robin Williams in his final role as a dog, no less, and canine companion and mans best friend to Neil Clarke (Simon Pegg). Neil is a down in the dumps disillusioned schoolteacher who one day wakes up with the ability to do anything he wants - absolutely anything - thanks to a bunch of power crazy aliens (this is where the Python Team come in) who have granted him these extraordinary powers.  Coming to terms with his new founds abilities is no easy thing for a mere mortal, and so Neil calls upon his trustee dog, Dennis to help him along the way . . .  as of course you would! Also starring Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley and Kate Beckinsale.

THE CROWS EGG (Rated PG) - This Indian Tamil comedy drama film is set in the slums of Chennai where two young brothers live with their mother and grandmother is a small concrete and tin shack. Their boys father is in prison, and so the mother does what she can to support the family unit while the boys scavenge for coal that falls off the passing train trucks at the rail yard and on-selling their haul for as much as they can get. They also scavenge for crows eggs from the nests of these birds and regard these as a delicacy, and so they start calling themselves Crows Egg the Elder and Crows Egg the Younger. One day seeing a commercial on the television for a soon to open pizza franchise nearby the two young lads become fixated on wanting to sample pizza for themselves for the first time, more so that it is endorsed by a famous actor too. Their quest to eat pizza becomes all consuming and they will stop at (almost) nothing to ensure their dream is realised. Starring newcomers Vignesh as Periya (Crows Egg the Elder) and Ramesh as Chinna (Crows Egg the Younger) this film has received much critical acclaim and several awards for Best Childrens Film and Best Child Artists for the two young stars who give compelling and believable performances. Made for just US$110K, the film has so far grossed US$7.5M, making that a very solid return by anyones reckoning.

Five more films released then in the coming week for your viewing consideration, and again all offering something different and offering something for most tastes. Get your yourself to a movie theatre and soak up some solid cinematic entertainment in the week ahead, and then let us know here, what you thought.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

THE LOBSTER : Saturday 14th November 2015.

'THE LOBSTER', which I saw over the weekend, has received generally positive reviews although it is hailed as weird, surreal, and quite unlike anything before seen. And it certainly is that - bizarre is how I would describe it and I struggled to connect with this near future dystopian romantic comedy that in its latter half I felt my attention ebbing away as it seemed to be going around in circles before reaching its final destination - and when it does the ending comes very abruptly.

Made for just US$4.5M this film has so far grossed US$2.7M and is likely to find a select audience only of alternative art house types wanting to see this Written, Produced and Directed Film by Greek Yorgos Lanthimos in his English language debut. The film was shown at this years Cannes Film Festival where it took out the Jury Prize and it was shown in the Special Presentations section too and this years Toronto International Film Festival, and at the recent Adelaide Film Festival also.

Although we don't know when, 'The Lobster' is set in the very near future, and we open up with David (Colin Farrell) sat on the sofa at home being delivered the news by his wife in the background that their marriage of eleven or so years is over. A dog sits beside him at his feet. He seems accepting of this news, resigned to his fate, asks a few questions and the next day or so he boards a bus with his dog and a small suitcase in tow. He is taken to 'The Hotel' where he goes through a series of personal questions, bodily inspections, given a new set of clothes and a set of rules by which he must abide by in the time he is there. Escorted to his room overlooking a stretch of water David makes himself comfortable with his dog.

In this near future society those single individuals are rounded up and taken to The Hotel where they have 45 days in which to find a mate amongst the other occupants. If they do find a match this is celebrated and they then have a month in which to live together in another section to determine if they are truly compatible, and if so they are released back to 'The City'. If however, they are unsuccessful they are killed and reincarnated as an animal of their pre-determined choice and released into the nearby woods. David advises the Hotel Manager (Olivia Colman) that his choice is to become a lobster - because they can live for 100 years, continue to reproduce throughout their entire life, are sea dwelling blue bloods and therefore a little aristocratic, and live in the sea which he has an affinity with. The dog that has accompanied David we learn is his brother, who stayed in The Hotel previously and was unsuccessful in his attempt to find a match.

Early on over breakfast David meets up with The Lisping Man (John C. Reilly) and The Limping Man (Ben Whishaw) and the three form a bond. There are planned activities to keep the occupants of The Hotel amused which includes propaganda acted out on stage about the virtues of being a couple over being single in this new world order, simulated sexual arousal with a hotel maid because masturbation is strictly forbidden, and 'The Hunt' where occupants venture out in to the woods armed with tranquilliser guns to capture 'The Loners' - those who have escaped from The Hotel and seek a singular existence. Each Loner captured guarantees one extra day of human existence.

As time progresses The Limping Man matches up with The Nosebleed Woman, by faking his own nosebleeds to garner empathy and foster a connection. They get together and are determined a match and move out for the month to test their true compatibility. David meets up with The Heartless Woman - an ice maiden with zero personality, nerves of steel and needless to say seemingly no heart but a stellar track record at bringing in Loners, so much so that she has raked up 100+ bonus days at The Hotel. Through some of his own manipulation The Heartless Woman determines that they may be matched and so they are put to the test for a month. However, one morning when she awakens him with a bloodied leg she announces that she has kicked his dog to death in the bathroom. Realising they are not compatible, David overcomes her and secretly takes her to 'The Transformation Room' where he turns her into an animal, although what animal is not revealed. He then escapes into the woods and is taken in by The Loners.

The Loners here sleep in the undergrowth, forage for food, have their own set of rules by which they must abide and must remain hidden during The Hunt for fear of capture. The Loners are governed over by The Loner Leader (Lea Seydoux) and here David meets with The Shortsighted Woman (Rachel Weisz) with whom he strikes a connection being shortsighted himself, and The Loner Swimmer (Michael Smiley). From time to time there are covert missions back to The City where the four will go together undercover as couples eating in cafes, shopping for clothes and visiting the parents of The Loner Leader and talking over tea.  David and The Shortsighted Woman secretly enjoy these outings as it enables them to connect physically and be the couple they secretly long to be.

Things take a cruel twist for The Shortsighted Woman at the hands of The Loner Leader when their clandestine affair is revealed. This leaves David unsure of his feelings for her as her physical abilities now would make her so much more dependant upon on him and very difficult given their woodland existence. However, over time he warms to her once more and they hatch a plan to return to The City and live as the couple they long to be. Sat in a restaurant we see David take his leave to go to the restroom armed with a steak knife to inflict upon himself the same disability that The Shortsighted Woman now has, in order that they both can share a true connection again. And . . . fade to black, pause,and roll the credits!

This is a bizarre, weird, very alternative film that will not be for everyone. It explores the meaning of relationships, the need for acceptance and to conform, what is compatibility, and how fixated we are on being one half of a couple - casually, temporarily or permanently. The first half of the film is a lot more engaging than the second half which I thought meandered around without really going anywhere. There are some genuine laugh out loud moments in the film as well as some shocks and surprises, but equally there are some frustrations too where the scene is left hanging and you're left wondering - no more so than right at the end! Colin Farrell plays against type here and convincingly enough as the portly deadpan unassuming anti-hero having stacked on the kilos for his architect character thrown into a very different environment where relationships are a matter of life and death!

With six award wins already and another twelve nominations pending, this is a film to search out if your looking for an alternative, quirky, at times disturbing film that will make you reflect on what you know of our dating society, relationships, the meaning of love and how we view singles over couples.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-