Birthday's to share this week : 28th February - 5th March 2016

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Zack Snyder does on 1st March - 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 28th February

• John Turturro - Born 1957, turns 59 - Actor | Director | Writer
• Mike Figgis - Born 1948, turns 68 - Director | Producer | Writer | Cinematographer | Editor | Composer | Musician

Monday 29th February

• Joss Ackland - Born 1928, turns 88 - Actor

Tuesday 1st March

• Roger Daltry - Born 1944, turns 72 - Singer | Songwriter | Actor | Producer
• Javier Bardem - Born 1969, turns 47 - Actor | Producer
• Ron Howard - Born 1954, turns 62 - Director | Producer | Actor
• Zack Snyder - Born 1966, turns 50 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Dirk Benedict - Born 1945, turns 71 - Actor | Director
• Harry Belafonte - Born 1927, turns 89 - Singer | Songwriter | Actor | Producer
• Lupita Nyong'o - Born 1983, turns 33 - Actress

Wednesday 2nd March

• Bryce Dallas Howard - Born 1981, turns 35 - Actress | Producer | Writer | Director
• Rebel Wilson - Born 1980, turns 36 - Actress | Writer | Producer
• Daniel Craig - Born 1968, turns 48 - Actor | Producer | 007

Thursday 3rd March

• George Miller - Born 1945, turns 71 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Miranda Richardson - Born 1958, turns 58 - Actress
• Jessica Biel - Born 1982, turns 34 - Actress | Producer

Friday 4th March

• Patsy Kensit - Born 1968, turns 48 - Actress
• Len Wiseman - Born 1973, turns 43 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Paul W. S. Anderson - Born 1965, turns 51 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Adrian Lyne - Born 1941, turns 75 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Scott Hicks - Born 1953, turns 63 - Director | Writer

Saturday 5th March

• Matt Lucas - Born 1974, turns 42 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Dean Stockwell - Born 1936, turns 80 - Actor
• Samantha Eggar - Born 1939, turns 77 - Actress
• Eva Mendes - Born 1974, turns 42 - Actress

Zachary Edward Snyder was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA to mother Marsha Reeves, a painter and photography teacher at Daycroft School - a co-ed private boarding school which the young Snyder would later attend. His father, Charles Edward Snyder was an executive recruiter. He was raised in Riverside, Connecticut and as a Christian Scientist. His mother inspired him to study painting and after he completed high school he attended the Heatherley School of Fine Art in London, England, after which he attended The Arts Centre College of Design in Pasadena, California where he shared classes with a young Michael Bay.

Snyder started his career shooting music videos for the likes of Morrissey, Soul Asylum and Alexander O'Neal, and then television commercials for Subaru, Nissan, Audi and BMW, as well as Nike, Reebok and Gatorade. He launched his movie career in 2004 with the remake of George A. Romero's classic horror 'Dawn of the Dead' which he did so on a budget of US$26M from which it made US$103M.





In 2007, he followed this up with both Screenwriter and Director credits on the big screen adaptation of Frank Miller's '300' which delivered US$456M from US$65M and largely cemented Snyder's place and that of its star Gerard Butler, on the road to cinema success. Two years later Snyder Directed the previously deemed 'unfilmable' 'Watchmen' based on the limited series DC characters that appeared in the mid-80's. This filmed grossed US$185M off its US$130M budget, and it would be fair to say that it polarised audiences and critics the world over, which would explain why perhaps we have yet to see a sequel or a reboot.

His next offering was released in 2010 and was a change in pace and a change in direction with a CG animated fantasy epic aimed squarely at the family audience. Directed by Snyder, 'Legend of the Guardians : The Owls of Ga'Hoole' cost US$80M and delivered US$140M, and as an US/Australian co-production it starred a whole bunch of Aussie voice talent that read like a Who's Who of the local film industry - Geoffrey Rush, Hugo Weaving, Joel Edgerton, Anthony LaPaglia, David Wenham, Sam Neill, Richard Roxburgh, Barry Humphries, Barry Otto, Ryan Kwanten and Abbie Cornish as well as some imports including Helen Mirren, John Hurt and Jim Sturgess.

The following year , Snyder Wrote, Produced and Directed 'Sucker Punch' which barley recovered its budget bringing in just US$90M and very lacklustre reviews. Starring Abbie Cornish, Emily Browning, Jena Malone with Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm and Scott Glenn, the original concept for the film was all his with a female asylum inmate imagining herself and three other female inmates all teaming up to escape before she undergoes a lobotomy. This female driven multi-levelled fantasy action film clearly failed to strike a chord with audiences the world over despite its high production values, strong cast, unusual storyline and the creative imagination of its originator! You can't win 'em all Sucker!

From here however, he recovered quickly to Direct the Superman reboot with 'Man of Steel' in 2013 with Henry Cavill in the red cape and blue body suit acting out the first instalment of the DC Extended Universe, and off its US$225M budget brought home US$668M in Box Office takings, and paving the way for this years much hyped and eagerly awaited 'Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice'.





In the meantime, Snyder took a Producer and Writer credit on 2014's '300 : Rise of an Empire', and is an Executive Producer on 'Suicide Squad' due in August this year. With the DC Extended Universe ramping up with the very soon to be released 'Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice' we have here Henry Cavill reprising his Superman role from a few years prior and following up from the antics with General Zod (Michael Shannon) at the end of that last film and rejoined by Amy Adams, Diane Lane and Laurence Fishburn with Ben Affleck at Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Mamoa at Aquaman, Jesse Eisenberg at Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons as Alfred all joining the DC Extended Universe anew.

Next up Snyder is Producing 'Wonder Woman' which is filming currently for a 2107 release, 'The Flash' and 'Aquaman' both for 2018, and he is Directing 'The Justice League Pt. 1' for 2017, and 'The Justice League Pt. 2' for 2019. Spearheading the DC Extended Universe on Directing or Producing duties, Snyder is clearly most at home in the superhero and comic book genre.

All up, he has twelve Directing credits to his name, eight as Producer, five as Writer and he has so far picked up three award wins and seven nominations for his work. His Directing efforts have grossed so far over US$1.6B. In 2004 he formed Production Company 'Cruel and Unusual Films' with his wife Deborah Snyder with who he has worked on every film since '300', and whom he married in 2004 and with whom they have a son - Eli - often cast by his father to star in his films. Snyder has six children, four by his former marriage to Denise Weber.

Zack Snyder - packs a punch in the body count stakes, often relies on heavily stylised slo-mo action sequences but also is at home in the fast paced ramped up combat scenes, got it wrapped up with DC and intending to give Marvel Studios a run for their money! Is he the man for the job - Zack's the man who can! Loving' your work and looking forward to more - Happy 50th Birthday Zack, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 25th February 2016

This coming Sunday 28th February at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre the 88th annual Academy Awards will be presented across 24 different categories honouring the best in film entertainment from last year. Hosted by Chris Rock for the second time the glitterati and the glamourati will be out in full force on this, Hollywood's night of nights. The main category nominations look like this : Best Film - 'The Big Short', 'The Martian', 'The Revenant', 'Spotlight', 'Room', 'Brooklyn', 'Bridge of Spies' and 'Mad Max : Fury Road'. Best Director nominations are for Adam McKay, George Miller, Lenny Abrahamson, Tom McCarthy and Alejandro Inarritu. Best Actor runnings are for Matt Damon in 'The Martian', Bryan Cranston for 'Trumbo', Michael Fassbender for 'Steve Jobs', Eddie Redmayne for 'The Danish Girl' and Leonardo DiCaprio for 'The Revenant'. Best Actress nominations go to Cate Blanchett for 'Carol', Brie Larson for 'Room', Charlotte Rampling for '45 Years', Jennifer Lawrence for 'Joy' and Saoirse Ronan for 'Brooklyn'. Best Supporting Actor nods have gone to Mark Rylance for 'Bridge of Spies', Christian Bale for 'The Big Short', Tom Hardy for 'The Revenant', Mark Ruffalo for 'Spotlight' and Sylvester Stallone for 'Creed' with Best Supporting Actress nominations going to Rooney Mara for 'Carol', Jennifer Jason Leigh for 'The Hateful Eight', Kate Winslet for 'Steve Jobs', Rachel McAdams for 'Spotlight' and Alicia Vikander for 'The Danish Girl'. Without going into more detail of the individual categories which you can easily check out on line, in summary 'The Revenant' is in the running with twelve nominations, followed by 'Mad Max : Fury Road' with ten, 'The Martian' with seven', 'Bridge of Spies', 'Carol' and 'Spotlight' each with six, 'The Big Short' and 'Star Wars : The Force Awakens' with five apiece, 'The Danish Girl' and 'Room' with four each, and 'The Hateful Eight', 'Brooklyn' and 'Sicario' each with three. You can check out my Reviews of many of the aforementioned films here at Odeon Online.

Coming closer to home, this week we have five new offerings arriving fresh and wholesome at your local cinema complex. Kicking off from acclaimed dynamic Directing duo is a historical Hollywood romp that is part fact part fiction and all entertainment with a big name cast and a throw back to the golden age of the studio system. Then there is an intense modern warfare offering based on true life events in the very recent past from a loud & proud Director used to blowing shit up for the mindless amusement of teenage boys the world over, with an Egyptian epic swords & sandals save the world gods and mortals battling it out for supremacy and the chance to rule victorious forever, following. From here we go back to WWII for a more sombre, harrowing and confronting foreign language film that has to be the must see film of its kind this year; before wrapping up with a modern take on a classic English novel mashed up with the flesh eating undead.

When you have seen your film of choice in the week ahead, share your movie going experience with you friends here at Odeon Online by leaving a comment or two below this or any other Post - we'd love to hear from y'all! In the meantime, enjoy your movie.

HAIL, CAESAR (Rated PG) - the latest offering and the 17th film from those very talented Coen Brothers - Joel and Ethan bringing us a nostalgic Hollywood comedy with an all star cast. Directed, Produced, Written and Edited by the Coens with lensman Roger Deakins on camera duty the film premiered in LA on 1st February and went on general US release on 5th February and has so far made US$25M off its US$24M budget. 'Hail, Caesar' melds a fictional story with a real life character, that being Joseph Edgar Allen John 'Eddie' Mannix (played here by Josh Brolin) who died in 1963 having worked throughout the golden era of Hollywood's studio system as a film producer, studio executive and 'fixer' to the stars of the time.

Here we have hapless Hollywood heartthrob Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) shooting an epic Roman swords and sandals movie sometime in the mid-50's, when he is drugged and abducted by a group of screenwriters with Communist tendencies who demand a ransom of $100,000. Mannix must muster his every effort in an attempt to retrieve Whitlock whilst dealing with numerous other studio issues at Capitol Pictures including a talented and handsome dancer, Burt Gurney (Channing Tatum channelling Gene Kelly),  a gorgeous swimmer, DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson channelling Esther Williams) a singing cowboy, Hobie Doyle (Alden Ehrenreich channelling Kirby Grant), and an upset Director, Laurence Laurentz (Ralph Fiennes). Meanwhile there is Tilda Swinton playing identical twin reporters Thora and Thessaly Thacker, Frances MacDormand as film editor C.C.Calhoun, Jonah Hill as surety agent, Joseph Silverman with Christopher Lambert, Dolph Lundgren, Clancy Brown, and, Michael Gambon providing the narrative. 'Hail, Coens' - sounds like another authentic amusing romp that can be delivered as only the Coens know how to.

13 HOURS : THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI (Rated MA15+) - Michael Bay Produces and Directs this true account of a crack team of six security team members who must defend the American Diplomatic compound in Libya's Benghazi, following a series of terrorist attacks on September 11th 2012. At the time Libya was named as one of the most dangerous places in the world, and this film is based on the real life events as recorded in the 2014 book '13 Hours' by Mitchell Zuckoff. Working for 'Global Response Staff' - a team of private military contractors all of whom are former highly trained, weapons skilled and field experienced special op's personnel required to protect the US Embassy outpost known as 'The Annex', and must do so against overwhelming odds. You can count on the usual fast paced, blood splattering, limb tearing and explosive action that is trademark Bay.

GODS OF EGYPT (Rated M) - Directed and Produced by Aussie Alex Proyas, and shot in Australia too at Sydney's Fox Studio's at a cost of US$140M this is a swords and sandals fantasy epic of Egyptian Gods and mortals. Here we have the future of mankind hanging in the balance as Set (Gerard Butler) the God of darkness and all things nasty takes over Egypt's throne and plunges the  wealthy and glorious empire into conflict, chaos and calamity. A mere mortal is always on hand though when civilisation needs to be rescued with big ideas, a moral compass and a stiff upper lip to  save the world and win back his one true love. And so Bek (Brenton Thwaites) comes to the rescue forming an unlikely partnership with a powerful Egyptian God, Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) to thwart Set and his band of goons that takes them across the heavens and into the afterlife in a fight to the death, supremacy and peace on Earth. Also starring Bryan Brown, Rufus Sewell and Geoffrey Rush.

SON OF SAUL (Rated M) - a harrowing account of the day and a half in the life of a Hungarian-Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz, this Hungarian production from first time Director and Co-writer  Laszlo Nemes has won much critical acclaim winning The Golden Globe for the Best Foreign Language Film and is nominated in the same category at the forthcoming Academy Awards, as well as picking up the Grand Prix at Cannes last year. Here Saul Auslander (Geza Rohrig) is a Hungarian member of the Sonderkommando - work units made up of death camp prisoners who were forced for fear of their own deaths to dispose of the bodies of gas chamber victims during the Holocaust. When Saul discovers the dead body of a young boy, he takes him for his son and seeks against all odds to find a Rabbi to give the child a proper Jewish burial, whilst protecting himself from the threat of death at any moment. 38 awards wins, 36 nominations and the highest critical acclaim, this is must see cinema that will shock, inspire, surprise and delight.

PRIDE + PREJUDICE + ZOMBIES (Rated MA15+) - just as it must be true (because Hollywood says so) that Abraham Lincoln was a vampire slayer, so it must also be true that Jane Austen knew a thing or two about zombies. And so it is in 19th Century England which is increasingly becoming overrun with the undead, that the Bennett sisters, recently returned from China where they each learned the skills of martial arts and weaponry, have to thwart the evil flesh eating foe with dashing young suitor Mr. Darcy in toe, also not afraid of dispensing with a pesky zombie or six! Directed by Burr Steers who wrote the screenplay of the Seth Grahame-Smith novel of the same name, and starring Lily James, Sam Riley, Suki Waterhouse, Charles Dance, and Lena Headey, 'PPZ' has so far made US$12M back of its initial US$28M budget.

With five new movie releases coming to a movie theatre near you in the week ahead, there is no reason not to get out in front of your favourite big screen. When you have done so, share your thoughts on your film experience with your like minded friends at this Blog.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

CONCUSSION : Saturday 20th February 2016.

CONCUSSION which I saw over the weekend was released Stateside at Christmas and this latest Will Smith vehicle has so far received luke warm reviews but has made US$42M off its US$35M budget. Opening in Australia just last week, this biographical sports medical drama is based on the article written for GQ magazine in 2009 titled 'Game Brain' by Jeanne Marie Laskas, and was written for the big screen and Directed by investigative journalist Peter Landesman. This is a true story.


As the film opens we see retired NFL legend 'Iron' Mike Webster (David Morse almost unrecognisable) talking onstage about his life and his 18 years at the top of his game and what it meant on a daily basis to play the game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As he speaks he struggles with his words and is clearly not the man he used to be - he is not yet 50 years of age, but looks older.

We then cut to a court room and Will Smith's Dr. Bennet Omalu is sat in the dock in court and for the jury is asked to give his credentials. It takes him five minutes to do so - such is the length of his qualifications, degrees, and educational track record gained in his native Nigeria, then the US and the UK in between.  He now works at the Pittsburgh Allegheny County Coroners Office as a forensic pathologist under County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht (Albert Brooks) and is in court to give evidence in a murder trial. It is 2002.

Meanwhile, Mike Webster's condition has worsened and we see him living in his battered pickup truck, practically destitute and suffering from the signs of amnesia, dementia, depression, bone & muscle pain, headaches and voices inside his head to a point where his state of mind has almost become unbearable. He seeks medication from former team doctor and good friend Dr. Julian Bailes (Alec Baldwin). A few days later Webster is found dead inside his pickup truck. The city of Pittsburgh reels from the news that their favourite son and NFL legend is dead. He winds up on a slab in the path lab at the Coroner's Office, with Omalu tasked with the autopsy.

Following extensive brain tissue investigation and meticulous research, Omalu determines that essentially NFL killed Webster, through repeated blows to the head throughout his career - blows to the head that the human brain is simply designed not to be able to withstand to such an extent and over such a prolonged period of time. He brings his findings to the attention of acclaimed neurologist Dr. Steven DeKosky (Eddie Marsan) who concurs with his findings but is apprehensive about publishing based on just one case. Omalu is convinced that other NFL players have died before, and more will follow, but they cannot run tests on the living, because the cause does not register on CT scans, and the symptoms are inconclusive.

In time there are further player deaths from very similar circumstances - Terry Long, Andre Waters and Justin Strzelczyk which allows Omalu to conduct further tests and draw the same conclusions time after time. He receives a call from Julian Bailes now retired from the NFL and running his own practice, who agrees with his findings but states clearly that Omalu is treading very dangerous ground, but offers his support. With DeKosky and Wecht he publishes his findings and conclusions in a medical journal which is quickly dismissed by the multi-billion dollar NFL machine, as the musings of an unqualified African quack! Giving the disease a name - chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) the NFL close ranks and begin a witch hunt against Omalu and those closest to him.

Feeling the pressures to back down from his continued work and what they reveal about the inherent dangers of the NFL game. Wecht becomes a victim of politically motivated 80+ trumped up corruption charges in an attempt to make Omalu resign, his wife Prema Mutisu (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) miscarries their first child as a result of being stalked, and the couple are forced to sell up their custom built dream home and relocate to California.

Three years later however, Bailes calls Omalu with the news that highly respected former NFL Players Association Executive Dave Duerson (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) has shot himself dead due to ongoing cognitive issues, and in a suicide note left by his bedside he admits that Omalu was right all along. After years of brick walls, denial, dismissal, smear campaigns, and accusations against him and those near, the NFL is forced to sit up and finally take notice. Omalu is invited to attend and present at the National Football League Players Association national conference and talk about concussion and CTE in the game.

As the closing credits roll, we are told that since then it has been determined that 28% of all NFL players are diagnosed with the symptoms of CTE and most are in the 40's and 50's. As a result of his work and his findings the NFL had been forced to pay out huge undisclosed sums to the families and relatives of those that have succumbed to CTE and that Congress and the NFL have subsequently taken the concussion issue much more seriously.

This is a compelling dramatic film that had to be told given the enormity of the game and the almost god-like worship given to the players within it and the consequences of playing week after week year after year in such a brutal, violent yet beautiful sport. Will Smith gives a standout performance in every respect and is convincing in his restrained role as the reluctant but determined doctor just wanting the truth to be told. On the sideline Alec Baldwin and Albert Brooks in particular give fine supporting turns as supporters to Omalu in stoic do the right thing never back down fashion. Overlooked at the upcoming Academy Awards but nominated for a Golden Globe, this film picked up four award wins and another eleven nominations from around the traps - all mostly for Will Smith's performance. A film worth watching but don't expect 'Any Given Sunday' or 'Remember the Titan's'

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Birthday's to share this week : 21st - 27th February 2016.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Teresa Palmer does on 26th February - check out my tribute to this Birthday Girl turning 30, 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 21st February

• William Baldwin - Born 1963, turns 53 - Actor | Producer
• William Petersen - Born 1953, turns 63 - Actor | Producer
• Anthony Daniels - Born 1946, turns 70 - Actor | Producer
• Kelsey Grammer - Born 1955, turns 61 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Jennifer Love Hewitt - Born 1979, turns 37 - Actress | Producer | Director

Monday 22nd February

• Drew Barrymore - Born 1975, turns 41 - Actress | Producer | Director
• Julie Walters - Born 1950, turns 66 - Actress
• Nigel Planer - Born 1953, turns 63 - Actor | Writer
• Jonathan Demme - Born 1944, turns72 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Kyle MacLachlan - Born1959, turns 57 - Actor

Tuesday 23rd February

• Peter Fonda - Born 1940, turns 76 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Dakota Fanning - Born 1994, turns 22 - Actress
• Emily Blunt - Born 1983, turns 33 - Actress

Wednesday 24th February

• O'Shea Jackson Jnr. - Born 1991, turns 25 - Actor
• Edward James Olmos - Born 1947, turns 69 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Dennis Waterman - Born 1948, turns 68 - Actor | Singer
• Billy Zane - Born 1966, turns 50 - Actor | Producer | Director

Thursday 25th February

• Neil Jordan - Born 1950, turns 66 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Lee Evans - Born 1964, turns 52 - Actor | Writer
• Sean Astin - Born 1971, turns 45 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Tom Courtenay - Born 1937, turns 79 - Actor
• Rashida Jones - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actress | Producer
• Tea Leoni - Born 1966, turns 50 - Actress | Producer

Friday 26th February

• Teresa Palmer - Born 1986, turns 30 - Actress | Writer | Producer
• James Wan - Born 1977, turns 39 - Director | Producer | Writer

Saturday 27th February

• Timothy Spall - Born 1957, turns 59 - Actor | Writer
• Joanne Woodward - Born 1930, turns 86 - Actress | Producer
• Kate Mara - Born 1983, turns 33 - Actress

Teresa Palmer was born in Adelaide, South Australia (where this Blogger currently resides and publishes from) to mother Paula Sanders, a nurse and missionary, and father Kevin Palmer, a investor. At just three years of age her parents divorced. Her stepmother Karen Palmer has two daughters and two sons with whom she grew up with on her fathers farm in the Adelaide Hills, whilst living with her magic depressive mother in public housing. A mixed upbringing you might say. She attended Mercedes College, an independent girls catholic day school, and during her time there won a casting audition in 2003 on 'Search for a Movie Star'. She took acting classes and scored some gigs on various television commercials in between working at Burger King in Adelaide's main shopping precinct during 2005 as well as stints in clothing retail.

After graduating from school Palmer landed a role in '2:37' after being scouted by an acting talent agent, even though she had no previous acting experience. She had wanted to work as an animal welfare agent and was accepted into university to study teaching and journalism, but gave it all away to pursue her acting dream to star in '2:37'. She was 18 years of age and that was 2005 - and this was quickly followed up by a bit part in 'Wolf Creek' that same year.

For '2:37' she was nominated as Best Lead Actress in the AFI Awards and from there went on to 'The Grudge 2' with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Amber Tamblyn in 2006, then 'December Boys' with Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Thompson, and then 'Restraint' with Travis Fimmel in 2008. '2:37' was her early turning point after it appeared in the 'Un Certain Regard' selection at the Cannes Film Festival.

After a move to Los Angeles from her Adelaide home at Semaphore Beach she suffered various casting setbacks but was eventually chosen by Adam Sandler to star alongside him in 2008's 'Bedtime Stories' with Guy Pearce, Russell Brand and Courteney Cox. In 2010, Disney's 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' with Nicolas Cage and Alfred Molina received only luke warm reviews and relatively poor Box Office receipts, leading into her role as Number Six in 'I Am Number Four' in 2011 - a role she was set to reprise in two sequels if successful, but the would-be franchise returned only US$149M and as such the sequel is yet to materialise. 'Take Me Home Tonight' followed with Topher Grace and Chris Pratt and then 'Wish You Were Here' a year later with Joel Edgerton.

2013 saw 'Warm Bodies' - the ZomRomCom with Nicholas Hoult, Dave Franco and John Malkovich, which was followed up with 'Love and Honour' with Liam Hemsworth which tanked at the Box Office making less that US$17K.

Following this was 'Parts Per Billion' with Josh Hartnett and Rosario Dawson, and the two films which showed at the Toronto International Film Festival - 'Cut Bank' with Liam Hemsworth, John Malkovich, Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Dern and 'Kill Me Three Times' with Simon Pegg and Luke Hemsworth. Last year saw Terence Mallick's 'Knight of Cups' with Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Antonio Banderas and then the recently released 'Point Break' with Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey and Ray Winstone, before 'The Choice' released just earlier this month with Benjamin Walker and Tom Wilkinson.

Next up is 'Triple 9' due for imminent release with an all star cast including Kate Winslet, Norman Reedus, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Directed by John Hillcoat. This will be followed up, and currently in post-production, by 'Berlin Syndrome', 'Hacksaw Ridge' as Directed by Mel Gibson and starring Luke Bracey, Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Richard Roxburgh, Sam Worthington, Ryan Corr and Rachel Griffith (yeah! Go Mel!) and '2:22', with 'Message From The King' with Luke Evans and Tom Felton and 'Lights Out' both recently wrapped. She has 28 acting credits to her name, two Producer credits and one Writer credit so far.

In 2009 Palmer former her own Production Company 'Avakea Productions'. That same year she filmed an advertising campaign for clothing retailer 'Just Jeans', and became the spokesperson and face of 'Jurlique Cosmetics'. She also co-wrote and starred in 'The Ever After' which also starred and was Directed by American Actor and Screenwriter Mark Webber who was to become Palmer's future husband. 

She dated Actor Topher Grace, comedian Russell Brand, Actor Scott Speedman and Australian Rules Football player Stuart Dew before marrying Mark Webber in December 2013 with whom she has a son, Bodhi Rain, born in February 2014. 

Teresa Palmer - 30 years of age and 12 years in the movie business and already amassing an increasingly impressive filmography; an avid Aussie rules Port Adelaide fan so much so that she holds the joint #1 ticket holder spot with David Koch from Channel 7's 'Sunrise' morning show; and yet you may not even recognise her name, but, the girl from Adelaide, is certainly one to watch. Happy 30th to you Teresa, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 18th February 2016.

Sunday evening 14th February saw the 69th British Academy Film Awards as presented by BAFTA and hosted for the eleventh year by Stephen Fry from the Royal Opera House in London. This years winners & grinners saw two films scoop the majority wins with 'The Revenant' walking away with five awards and 'Mad Max : Fury Road' with four. In summary, the highlights were : Best Film - 'The Revenant', Best Leading Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio for 'The Revenant' (finally!), Best Director - Alejandro G. Inarritu for 'The Revenant', Best Sound and Best Cinematography for 'The Revenant'. Best Lead Actress went to Brie Larson for 'The Room'; Best Supporting Actor went to Mark Rylance for 'Bridge of Spies' and Best Lead Actress went to Kate Winslet for 'Steve Jobs'. Best Original Screenplay went to 'Spotlight', Best Adapted Screenplay to 'The Big Short' and Best Original Music to 'The Hateful Eight'. Finally, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Make-Up and Hair, and Best Editing all went to 'Mad Max : Fury Road'. Sincerest congratulations and a big well done to all those winners, and those nominees too. The Oscar's await in less than two weeks. You can recap on my Reviews and Previews of all of these films within these Blog pages, or go to www.batfa.org

This week there are six new release films to tease and tempt you out to a movie theatre kicking off with a couple of autobiographical offerings from the present day world of NFL and some medical revelations that threaten a national game, and a historical tale of a Hollywood Writer imprisoned on allegations of treason. Then there is a story of an ageing English couple whose life is turned upside down by an event that occurred fifty years ago which poses questions, might provide some answers, but reveals some hidden truths that they must both reach beyond. Following this is a Biblical story of what happened during the first forty days after Christ's crucifixion, and then two comedies to close out the week - two girls on the hunt for men, drinks and good times in NYC and then two guys on the hunt for a man, drugs and bad times in Miami!

So much choice and so little time! When you have sat through your movie of choice in the week ahead, share your movie thoughts, views and opinions with your friends here at Odeon Online by leaving a note in the Comments section below this or any other Post - we'd love to hear from y'all! In the meantime, enjoy your movie!

CONCUSSION (Rated M) - released Stateside at Christmas, this latest Will Smith vehicle has so far received luke warm reviews but has made US$42M off its US$35M budget. This biographical sports medical drama is based on the article written for GQ magazine in 2009 called 'Game Brain' by Jeanne Marie Laskas, and was written for the big screen and Directed by Peter Landesman.

Here we have Will Smith starring s Nigerian forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu who conducts the autopsy on NFL player Mike Webster (David Morse) and determines that he died from severe brain damage. Investigating further he comes to the conclusion that Webster suffered from long term chronic traumatic encephalopathy as a result of repeated blows to the head incurred during his NFL career. Attempting to bring this to the attention of the NFL he meets with brick walls, denial and dismissal, until further cases are revealed amidst the NFL player fraternity, and eventually the sport has to sit up and take notice. Also starring Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Eddie Marsan and Paul Reiser.

TRUMBO (Rated M) - Sticking with the biographical theme, here we have another, this time Directed by Jay Roach and based on the book 'Dalton Trumbo' by Bruce Alexander Cook. This film is a period piece dating back to the mid-20th Century and the golden age of Hollywood when real life top Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was blacklisted in 1947, along with numerous other contemporaries of the time, for allegedly perpetrating propaganda in the Hollywood films of the time. He refused to testify at The United States Congress and so was locked up for eleven months in a federal prison in 1950. This is his story and how using the power of words and wit he won two Academy Awards to expose the farce of the black list which engulfed the likes of John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Otto Preminger, and columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren). Also starring Diane Lane, Elle Fanning and John Goodman.The film cost US$15M to make and was released stateside in early November, and has so far recouped US$8M, and has garnered two award wins and 23 nominations together with an Academy Award nomination for Bryan Cranston for Best Actor, two Golden Globe, one BAFTA and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

45 YEARS (Rated M) - here we have a romantic drama film that is based on a short story and adapted for the big screen and Directed by Andrew Haigh, and starring Charlotte Rampling as Kate Mercer and Tom Courtenay as Geoff Mercer, a retired reasonably well off married childless couple living in England's Norfolk. Married for 45 years, on the eve of a big celebration get together with friends Geoff receives a letter from Switzerland advising him that the body of his girlfriend of almost 50 years ago has been discovered under the melting ice of a glacier that she fell into way back then and perished. Asked to return to identify the body he must decide between foregoing his anniversary party and the chance to see his earlier love again in all likelihood preserved in the ice, together with haunting memories that come flooding back, whilst answering all the questions that Kate will inevitable have. At the Berlin International Film Festival last year Rampling won the Silver Bear Award for Best Actress and Courtney won it for Best Actor, and Rampling too has an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Could well be a surprise performer.

RISEN (Rated M) - is a Biblical epic retelling of the first forty days following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as Directed by Kevin Reynolds. Here long serving Roman military tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) is tasked by Pontius Pilate (Peter Firth) to explore rumours that a Jewish Messiah Jesus (Cliff Curtis) has risen from the dead, and he is tasked to locate the missing body. With a possible uprising in Jerusalem imminent, Clavius and his trusted aide Lucius (Tom Felton) begin a journey to disprove talk of a risen Messiah, but in so doing begin to question their own beliefs and spirituality and the truth behind what it is they are seeking.

HOW TO BE SINGLE (Rated M) - Directed by Christian Ditter this RomCom was released in London on 9th February, Stateside three days later and has so far grossed US$28M towards its US$38M budget. Starring Dakota Johnson as college graduate Alice who decides that at this point in her life she needs a break from studies, her boyfriend, life as she knows it and it's therefore time to live a little. Moving to NYC as a paralegal, she is excited by a life of freedom and adventure in the Big Apple and so befriends co-worker Robin (Rebel Wilson) who lives life large, enjoys one night stands, drinks plenty, party's hard, and does just about everything to excess. It's not long before Robin becomes Alice's guide around town and new best friend while learning quickly how to score free drinks in a bar, meet men aplenty and enjoy the single life to the max. Also starring Alison Brie and Leslie Mann.

RIDE ALONG 2 (Rated M) - the 2014 original movie Directed by Tim Story was made for US$25M and made US$155M although no thanks to me, so it was inevitable that a sequel would hit our screens sooner or later.  Now two short years later, here it is again also Directed as before by Tim Story and starring Ice Cube as Detective James Payton and sidekick Kevin Hart as rookie Officer Ben Barber. This film benefits from a bigger budget at US$40M and has so far raked in US$108M, so God help us all if this prompts the Producers to green light '3'. Travelling to Miami the dynamic duo are following up a hot lead to a drug syndicate that brings them in connection with a Homicide Detective, and a Computer Hacker A.J. (Ken Jeong) who just happens to have evidence to implicate a respected local businessman Antonio Pope (Benjamin Bratt). I am sure that much wise crackin', gun totin', cringe inducin' soft porn teen fodder action will follow - just don't expect me to Review this film!

With six new films out in the week ahead, there is plenty of choice once again coming to a cinema near you, as well as a whole raft of other great movie content still out on general release and worthy of your cinema going dollar. Be sure to catch something this week, and share your thoughts.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

DEADPOOL : Saturday 13th February 2016.

'DEADPOOL' - which I saw over the weekend is the latest big screen adaptation to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe that will also see  another 'Captain America' instalment come April, 'X-Men : Apocalypse' following in May, 'Doctor Strange' in October, and 'Daredevil' on Netflix in March. Back though to the matter in hand! This is not the first time we have seen 'Deadpool' on the big screen, with the character making his first appearance in 'X-Men Origins : Wolverine' in 2009 when Ryan Reynolds portrayed this character back then too. Development of this first film kicked off way back in 2000, initially stalling and then passing through several Studios and Writers along the way. Tim Miller was hired to Direct in 2011 with filming starting in Canada in early 2015. Reynolds had always wanted to play the character of Wade Wilson/Deadpool since 2003 and was assigned to the project as it went though numerous iterations over the years. With this film greenlit, he stated that this adaptation of the Superhero character would be more authentic than the role he portrayed in the earlier 2009 'Wolverine' outing, and so he we are, and it certainly is that! Probably like no other 'superhero' we have seen before! Made for US$58M the film has so far grossed US$60M since it opened internationally from 10th February, and is expected to do great things financially.

The film opens with a credit sequence depicting an action scene frozen in time with the camera panning though the minute details of the carnage that would go otherwise unnoticed at full speed, as very tongue in cheek credits scroll across the screen that raised more than smile from the largely gathered male teenage audience I was sat amongst. This sets the tone for a very different Marvel Studio's adaptation of the latest character to get its own big screen treatment, and, it's a welcome change.

Once the opening title sequence is done, the action ramps up to the minutes before that frozen in time title sequence occurred, and we meet our character Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) sat in the back of a yellow cab driven by Dopinder (Karan Soni). The two strike up a conversation, like it's an every day occurrence that a masked man in a red and black suit brandishing samurai swords, semi automatic hand guns and knives, around what each of them do in their lives and what has brought them to this point - to create a bit of back story. When Deadpool needs to exit the cab on a bridge above a very busy freeway, he does so and jumps off the bridge and into the seat of a black 4WD below, which is part of fleet of such cars and motorcycle outriders headed up by the villain in the piece Ajax/Francis Freeman (Ed Skrein). The carnage that follows is loud, proud, brutal and bloody as our main man Deadpool dispenses with the bad guys in all manner of ways that leave nothing to the imagination - it's great fun! This then brings us up to speed with that frozen its time opening title sequence, and by now we can piece together the events that led us to this point, but there are more gaps still to be filled in.

After this, it's time to slow things down apace and we go back two years for the origins of how Wade Wilson became Deadpool. A former special ops soldier turned mercenary when his active duty came to an end, he now spends his time protecting young girls from stalkers and low-lifes in New York City. One night he meets up with Vanessa Carlysle (Morena Baccarin) an escort, and they quickly hit it off, and they spend the next twelve months having gratuitous sex. One night Wade proposes marriage to Vanessa, and after she accepts, he collapses and passes out. Consultation later with a Doctor reveals that he has terminal cancer.

Later still, Wilson retreats to the bar where he first met Vanessa and is met by The Recruiter (Jed Rees) who offers him a cure and enhanced powers if he undergoes experimental surgery, which Wilson scoffs at and says thanks but no thanks. He leaves, but with The Recruiters calling card. Days later, he has a change of heart when considering what will become of him and Vanessa as the cancer takes hold. He is taken to a 'hospital' where 'Project X' experiments, tests and surgery is conducted on both willing and unwilling patients to either reveal or harness that mutative powers, and where many perish. Wilson is strapped down, and injected with a special serum by Ajax/Francis Freeman overseen by Angel Dust (Gina Curano), who then sets about a series of 'tortures' lasting several weeks in order that his mutations may manifest themselves. With no success after this time Wilson is strapped into an airtight chamber and deprived of oxygen in a final attempt to release his mutations. This is successful which gives him increased strength, the ability to heal quickly, disfigures his skin in the process, and even more twisted sarcastic quick witted sense of humour than he possessed before. He is able to break out of the chamber and bring the facility down in an explosion which sees Ajax and Wilson face off, leaving Wilson for dead as the building burns around him and he is left impaled on an iron bar. But, Wilson is now immortal, and can heal from anything - even from impalings and being burned alive it would seem.

As we progress Wilson adopts the name 'Deadpool' after discussion with his friend and bar owner Weasel (T.J.Miller) who also runs a running bet in his bar on who of the mercenaries who frequent his fine establishment will die next - hence 'Deadpool'. Determined to wreak his revenge on Ajax/Francis, Deadpool begins taking out various underworld syndicates and lynchpins to determine the whereabouts of his ultimate quarry. One by one they meet with a grizzly and merciless end, as Deadpool refines his image and the practicalities of his suit and weaponry. Meanwhile we have come to know that Ajax is a mutant too with an inability to feel any pain - physical and emotional, and also has enhanced strength, and Angel Dust has superhuman strength and speed. However, maintaining the 'X-Men' tie-in quite nicely, Wilson visits the home of Charles Xavier and seeks the previously offered support of Peter Rasputin/Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and his teenage trainee mutant sidekick Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand). We are not introduced to any other X-Men, but there is ongoing reference to them throughout the film - Wolverine especially.

By now we've pretty much got the whole back story, and we come full circle to the opening scenes again where we have just Deadpool and Ajax remaining, but with Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead intervening, Ajax is able to escape. Ajax then wants to dispense with Deadpool once and for all and so hatches a plan to kidnap Vanessa and lure Deadpool out into the open for the final showdown. Of course the final set piece is delivered in spectacular Marvel fashion with Deadpool, Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead facing off against Ajax and Angel Dust and a whole bunch of goons who all buy the farm in no uncertain terms. Deadpan gets his revenge, Vanessa and Wilson are reunited at which point she learns the truth about what he has been thorough and what has happened to him as a result, and the way is paved for Deadpool to join the X-Men as a bona fide paid up card carrying member of that elite team.

Throughout the film Wilson/Deadpool gives us a running commentary of his views on life, plot developments, back story, the X-Men, Wolverine, the film making process, his love of 80's popsters 'Wham', and his general wise cracks, quips, anecdotes and smart ass comments. Often he talks directly to the camera and references breaking the fourth wall several times, and it is this narration that sets 'Deadpool' aside from almost all of its predecessors (aside from 'Kick-Ass' perhaps!), plus the more graphic violence that is not seen in other Marvel offerings to the same extent.

Deadpool is a smart-ass bad-ass wise-cracking take no prisoners down to Earth grounded reluctant sexed-up rude crude superhero, that has knocked convention on the head and taken us along for a roller coater ride of bloody violent fast paced action, humour and pathos. It is great fun, not to be missed, and with a sequel already greenlit and Director Tim Miller offered the gig too, then the second instalment can't come soon enough. Watch out for the obligatory Stan Lee cameo, and if you can sit though the closing credits right to the end there is a final sequence involving Deadpool wearing a dressing gown and slippers setting the scene for a sequel, maybe, and a few other tongue in cheek messages to take home!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-