Birthday's to share this week : 15th - 21st January 2017.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Damien Chazelle does on 19th January - check out my tribute to this Birthday Lad turning 32, 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 15th January

• Mario Van Peebles - Born 1957, turns 60 - Actor | Director | Producer | Writer | Singer | Songwriter
• James Nesbitt - Born 1965, turns 52 - Actor
• Ryan Corr - Born 1989, turns 28 - Actor  

Monday 16th January

• John Carpenter - Born 1948, turns 69 - Director | Writer | Producer | Actor | Composer | Songwriter | Musician
• Debbie Allen - Born 1950, turns 67 - Actress | Producer | Director | Choreographer | Singer | Songwriter  

Tuesday 17th January

• Zooey Deschanel - Born 1980, turns 37 - Actress | Producer | Singer | Songwriter | Composer
• James Earl Jones - Born 1931, turns 86 - Actor
• Kevin Reynolds - Born 1952, turns 65 - Director | Writer
• Brian Helgeland - Born 1961, turns 56 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Jim Carrey - Born 1962, turns 55 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Singer
• Naveen Andrews - Born 1969, turns 48 - Actor
• Leigh Whannell - Born 1977, turns 40 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor  

Wednesday 18th January

• John Boorman - Born 1933, turns 84 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Kevin Costner - Born 1955, turns 62 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Mark Rylance - Born 1960, turns 57 - Actor
• David Ayer - Born 1968, turns 49 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Dave Bautista - Born 1969, turns 48 - Actor | Producer
• Jason Segel - Born 1980, turns 37 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Singer | Songwriter  

Thursday 19th January

• Antoine Fuqua - Born 1966, turns 51 - Director | Producer
• Nash Edgerton - Born 1973, turns 44 - Stuntman | Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Damien Chazelle - Born 1985, turns 32 - Director | Producer | Writer  

Friday 20th January

• Tom Baker - Born 1934, turns 83 - Actor
• David Lynch - Born 1946, turns 71 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor | Editor | Composer | Singer | Songwriter
• Skeet Ulrich - Born 1970, turns 47 - Actor
• Omar Sy - Born 1978, turns 39 - Actor | Producer | Writer  

Saturday 21st January

• Luke Grimes - Born 1984, turns 33 - Actor
• Geena Davis - Born 1956, turns 61 - Actress | Producer

Damien Sayre Chazelle was born in Providence, Rhode Island to mother Celia Martin, a writer and Professor of History at The College of New Jersey, and father Bernard Chazelle, a Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University. He has a sister Anna, who is an actress and circus performer. He attended the comprehensive public Princeton High School in New Jersey where film making was a keen interest for him, but he got sidetracked by the possibility of a music career as a jazz drummer which was to become the inspiration for his breakout film 'Whiplash' courtesy of an intense music teacher. He knew though that he never had the talent to make it big musically, so instead he reverted back to his first love and studied film making in the Visual and Environmental Studies Department at Harvard University from where he graduated in 2007.

Chazelle's big screen debut came in 2009 with the jazz musical film 'Guy and Medeline on a Park Bench' which he Directed, Co-Produced, Wrote, Co-Edited and acted as Cinematographer on. The film performed very well critically, and was widely shown around the worldwide festival circuit where it picked up a handful of awards and nominations. The film features a cast of non-professional actors, but accomplished musicians nonetheless. Chazelle also provide the lyrics for the films original music score.

In 2013 Chazelle wrote and Directed an eighteen minute short film called 'Whiplash' which was to be the pre-cursor for his highly acclaimed feature film of the same name released in 2014. Telling the story of the relationship between an ambitious jazz student, played by Miles Teller and his abusive domineering music teacher played by J.K.Simmons, the film went on to win three Academy Awards, one Golden Globe, three BAFTA's and a SAG award amongst its haul of 91 wins in total and a further 135 nominations. The film cost just US$3.5M to make and raked in US$49M at the Box Office.

Also in 2013 Chazelle took Writer credits on the supernatural horror drama film 'The Last Exorcism Part II', and 'Grand Piano' an English language Spanish film telling the story of a pianist making a comeback performance under threat from a sniper who has targeted him for death if he dare play one wrong note. The film starred Elijah Wood and John Cusack, and received largely favourable Reviews. In 2016 Chazelle also Co-Wrote the Sci-Fi psychological thriller '10, Cloverfield Lane' which took US$109M at the Box Office from its US$15M production budget and again garnered generally positive Reviews.

This gave way to the recently released 'La La Land' which has received universal critical acclaim. This romantic musical comedy drama film was Written and Directed by Chazelle, made for US$30M and has so far grossed US$91M, and has picked up 112 award wins including a history making seven Golden Globe wins, and 180 nominations including eleven BAFTA nods yet to be announced and excluding the yet be announced Academy Award nominations also. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in the two lead roles, with John Legend, J.K.Simmons and Rosemary DeWitt amongst others supporting. 

Next up for Chazelle is 'First Man' which will be Directed by Chazelle, teaming up with Ryan Gosling again in the lead role as Neil Armstrong in this biopic of the first man on the Moon based on the best selling book by James Hansen. All up Chazelle has seven Writer credits to his name, five as Director, three as Producer and two for Soundtrack lyrics. He has amassed 46 award wins and a further 104 nominations excluding this years Academy Award nominations for 'La La Land' which are still to be announced at the time of writing. Chazelle was married for four years to Writer, Producer and Director Jasmine McGlade from 2010 to 2014.

Damien Chazelle - the current toast of Hollywood and the Darling of Tinsel Town, riding the crest of a wave of success that started in no small way with a debut feature and is still gaining momentum. At just seven years in the movie business you've come a long way in a short period of time - congratulations on your achievements and recent awards success, and Happy Birthday to you Damien from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Monday 26th December 2016.

It's been another year of movie Reviews, Previews, Birthday Tributes and sadly a few obituaries along the way. In the last twelve months I have Posted 62 Reviews of the films I have seen at the Odeon, and I have Previewed 218 new release films to give you the inside word on what's hot (and perhaps what's not!) and coming to a movie theatre near you. I thank-you for you ongoing support of this humble little movie Blog that in recent weeks has seen my all time visits surpass 51,000 as our global reach expands. And so with a slew of new release films coming your way this week and in the weeks and months ahead, 2017 promises to be more of the same, but different! Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year, and I look forward to seeing you in 2017 at the movies and at this Blog. Happy New Year!

Turning to the week ahead, we have seven new release films to tease you out to you local multiplex. Kicking off with a WWII drama of a derring do intelligence officer teaming up with a French Resistance fighter in more ways than one; then a modern day take on the song and dance musicals of yesteryear that is already generating Oscar buzz; and then a bio-pic of influential musical talents of the '60's that helped define an era of what we listed to. We turn next to an Aussie outback story of a teenage lad and a stray dog who form a friendship in this prequel to a much loved film of a few years back. This is followed by a RomCom of an unlikely coupling of an extroverted Billionaire man and his introverted student girlfriend whose parents are hell bent on ensuring their relationship and pending marriage fails before it has begun. We then wrap up with two animated features that sees a strong return to form from the House of the Mouse with a Polynesian offering an adventure story of a highly spirited teenage girl paired up with a Demi-God to fulfil her quest; before we wrap up with this all star voice cast film of a struggling Koala looking to revive the fortunes of his once famed theatre by staging a singing contest to end all singing contests.

With seven features offering everything from war time drama, to nostalgic song & dance routines, to musical bio-pic, to romantic comedy, canine Aussie outback adventure and a couple of strong animated films you have every reason to see a movie during this festive holiday period. When you have done so, share your movie going experience with us here at Odeon Online by leaving your Comment below this or any other Post. As always your constructive, relevant and unbiased thoughts are warmly welcomed. In the meantime, enjoy your film.

'ALLIED' (Rated M) - Directed by Robert Zemickis and Written by Steven Knight based on a story he had been told some thirty years ago during his days around the US, which whilst not confirmed as being true, proved too good to be true not to make a film out of it. And so whilst the notion has been kicking around for thirty years or so, it is only now that his story has been committed to celluloid. Costing US$85M the film opened in the US in late November and has so far made back US$78M, and garnered generally positive reviews since, particularly for its two lead performers.

Here Royal Canadian Airforce Intelligence Officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) must travel to Casablanca to assassinate a German Ambassador. He is partnered up with French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) who fled from France after her resistance group was compromised and killed. During their mission masquerading as man and wife they grow close, and following its success Max asks Marianne to join him back in England, where they settle down, marry and have a daughter together. Fast forward twelve months and Max learns from a Special Operations Executive, that Marianne is in fact suspected of being a German spy, having assumed the identity of the real Marianne, now long since dead. Max therefore needs to learn the truth about Marianne as their relationship is put to the test with the backdrop of war, suspicion, trust and love. Also starring Jared Harris, Matthew Goode and Lizzy Caplan.

'LA LA LAND' (Rated M) - this musical romantic dramedy Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle whose last Directorial outing was the highly acclaimed 'Whiplash' seems to have struck pay-dirt again with this follow up, the equally highly acclaimed 'La La Land'. Praised for its Direction, praised for its two principle leads and praised for its musical numbers, this film harking back to a bygone era of song & dance musicals, cost US$30M to make, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August this year, and saw its US release earlier this month so far taking US$21M. Telling the story of Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling) an aspiring jazz pianist who has dreams of opening his own Jazz Club and Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) an aspiring actress who makes espresso's at the film studios where she works to make ends meet. In their native Los Angeles, following a freak meeting and then being reunited some months later, the pair fall for each other bonding by their common desire to follow their dreams and pursue what they love in their lives. But as success starts to build for them both they are forced into making decisions that will pull at the framework of their affair, and the dreams they have worked together and supported each other in threatens to tear them apart. Also starring J.K.Simmons, Rosmarie DeWitt and John Legend. There is Oscar buzz around this film, so best add it to your list of must-sees!

'GIMME DANGER' (Rated M) - another musical, of sorts, but not as you know it. This bio-pic Written and Directed by Jim Jarmusch (having his second released movie in two weeks following the previously Previewed 'Paterson') is a tribute to quite possibly one of the most influential rock bands of the era - 'The Stooges'. Emerging onto the American music scene in the late '60's with a mix of rock, R&B, blues and jazz with Iggy Pop as the flamboyant, aggressive and powerful front man, The Stooges paved for the way for the punk scene and alternative rock that became the hall marks of the '70's and '80's music landscape. Jarmusch here presents an in depth documentary film charting the bands early rise to fame and notoriety with archival footage and interviews with Iggy Pop and the band members.

'RED DOG : TRUE BLUE' (Rated PG) - 2011's Aussie outback story of a loyal Kelpie/Cattle Dog cross that roamed Western Australia Pilbara mining region searching for his master was highly acclaimed, picked up numerous awards, toured the festival circuit and made back AU$21M from its AU$8M budget. Now in 2016 the follow up film has arrived. Based originally on the Louis de Bernieres book of the same name, this sort of prequel is written for the screen again by Daniel Taplitz and Directed again by Kriv Stenders. This time though the action is more kid-friendly as young teenager Mick (Levi Miller) is relocated from the big city to an outback town in remote Western Australia sometime during the late '60's. Mick is a kid all alone in the vast expanse of Australia's desert outback, and here he befriends 'Blue' the dog (played by Phoenix) whom he rescues one night during a storm. And here we have a friendship forged out of mud (literally) that see the two get up to all sorts of exploits, adventures and doubtless some danger along the way. Will this be as endearing as that first film - only you can decide! Also starring Bryan Brown, John Jarrett, Jason Issacs and Steve Le Marquand.

'WHY HIM' (Rated MA15+) - Co-Written for the screen and Directed by John Hamburg, and based on a story by Jonah Hill, Hamburg and Ian Helfer this RomCom cost US$38M to make and has among its producer credits Ben Stiller and Shawn Levy. Starring James Franco as Laird Mayhew a famous heavily tattooed extroverted billionaire who falls for Stephanie Fleming (Zoey Deutch) a student at Stamford University. When Stephanie's parents Ned (Bryan Cranston) and Barb (Megan Mullally) plan a visit to see her during the holiday break, what they don't plan on is meeting Stephanie's boyfriend Laird. Alarm bells begin ringing immediately for the over protective and disapproving Ned, who can't withstand Laird's freewheeling attitude and his colourful language. Things are further complicated when Laird announces to Ned that he intends to ask for his daughters hand in marriage in less than a week. And so the race is on for Laird to prove himself to Ned and Barb that he is a worthy, responsible, committed suitor for their daughter, and for Ned to ensure that Laird crashes and burns without a trace in the process.

'MOANA' (Rated PG) - from Disney Animation comes their first animated feature film centred around the people and culture of Polynesia, and with it comes critical acclaim and a Box Office haul that stands at US$295M since its Stateside opening towards the end of November. The story revolves around a young Polynesian girl named Moana (voiced by Auli'l Carvalho) who is being groomed to take over one day from her father - the Chief of the Island of Motunui. Moana is a head strong young thing and has different ideas. One day while collecting shells she is summonsed by the ocean itself to return an ancient relic to the island Goddess, Te Fiti. She sets out on her quest going beyond the forbidden waters of her island home, where she goes in search of legendary DemiGod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) to help her in her mission, and save her island home from a blight that has stricken it and threatens its very survival. Also starring the voice talents of Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Jemaine Clement and Alan Tudyk this film is likely to please all comers.

'SING' (Rated G) - made by Illumination Entertainment, this computer animated musical comedy is Written, Directed and stars the voice talents of Garth Jennings amongst an ensemble cast of notable others including Matthew McConaughey (as dapper koala bear Buster Moon), Seth McFarlane, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton, Reece Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Saunders. Buster Moon is the owner of a once grand and renowned music theatre that has fallen on hard times. Being the eternal optimist that he is, he hatches a plan to restore his beloved theatre to its former glory, and save his theatre from crumbling away around him. That plan involves staging the biggest singing contest the world has ever seen by offering a prize of $1,000, however, a printing issue sees the marketing fliers for the competition read $100,000! Featuring some 85 classic and well known songs by famous artists, and an original song by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande, this film is sure to get the feet tapping if nothing else. Costing US$75M to make, the film went on release in the US only last week and has so far made US$73M.

With something for everyone this cinema going week nestled nicely between Christmas and New Year there is once agin no excuse for you not to get out amongst it at your local movie theatre. When you have done so, remember to drop us a line or two, here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you in the coming week at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-