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Empire Awards

Tom Cruise standing in front of a large print of his Empire front cover

Jameson Empire Awards 2014

The awards show with the most booze, the least rules and the most diverse guest list, the Empire Awards.

With the likes of Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger and The Inbetweeners all on the red carpet, it signalled the way for what will be an incredible finish to the awards season.

The biggest winner of the night was (unsurprisingly) Alfonso Cuaron he won for Best Director and Best Film. While he wasn’t at the event he did appear via video link to accept his awards.

Host, and star of The Hobbit trilogy James Nesbitt welcomed in the audience with less of the polished auto-cue script that you might hear from Stephen Fry, but with all the humour and wit you would expect from a drunk Irishman.

Opening with a song sang to the tune of ‘That’s Why The Lady Is A Tramp’ he impressed with a decent Sinatra-style singing voice.

James Nesbitt on stage presenting the Empire Awards 2014.

Image via Empire Online

He finished off the opener with the not so subtle jab at the Academy Awards, “We don’t need Oscars – they’re just for phonies and scamps / That is why Empire is for champs.”

Other awards that were presented were Best Male and Female newcomers that were collected by Aidan Turner (The Hobbit: The Desolations Of Smaug) and Margot Robbie (The Wolf Of Wall Street).

All the awards of the night were voted for by readers of Empire magazine, which this year celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary.

To commemorate this milestone there were two special awards that were created just for this years ceremony.

Collecting the first ‘Empire 25th Award: The Legend of Our Lifetime’ was Tom Cruise, who also conveniently appears on the front cover of this months Empire magazine.

Tom Cruise on the cover of Empire magazine

Image via Empire Online

Tom Cruise holding his Empire Award in front of a white background with the Empire logo printed on it.

Image vie Empire Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger collected the second of the anniversary awards The Action Hero Of Our Lifetime.

Arnold Schwarzenegger collecting his award at the Empire Awards on stage.

Image via Empire Online

The Empire Awards, while they are an international awards ceremony, there is considerable favour given to British film, and rightly so. 12 Years a Slave, Filth and Saving Mr Banks all picked awards in various acting categories.

Emma Thompson posing with her Empire Award in front of a white background with the Empire Logo printed on it.

Image via Empire Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James McAvoy posing with his Empire award and Kate Beckinsale

Image via Empire Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hugh Jackman also managed to take home an award, Empire Icon.

Hugh Jackman posing with his Empire Award in front of photographers.

image via Empire Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackman, who will reprise his role as Wolverine in May in X-Men: Days Of Future Past for the eighth time is very popular with Empire and their readers.

The full list of winners, back stage interviews, and the live stream are all available to catch up on. as well photo galleries and red carpet arrivals there is plenty to keep you distracted from work for at least the next 20 minutes.

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Events, offers and releases 31/03/14

Bible Epic, Noah, is released this week, starring Russell Crowe. Niel Burger’s Divergent, Rio 2, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Richard Ayoade’s new movie The Double are all also released in cinema’s this week.

Powder Room (15), Klown (18) and Frozen (U) are all released on Blu-Ray and DVD in the coming days. How to Survive a Plague (E), a film about how 1980’s gay Americans organised, fought the system (and each other) and forced a reluctant establishment to deliver better Aids drugs is also released. A worthy-sounding but uplifting documentary.

Special competition from Odeon: “Win a French getaway!

Arriving in the gorgeous Cannes you will begin your luxurious break without a diamond stealing mission in sight. Instead enjoy sunshine and stunning views at one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe and where the brilliant Love Punch was
filmed.

Enjoy the easy continental way of life in the lap of luxury with this romantic weekend away sure to rekindle, relax and rejuvenate.

To be in with a chance of winning simply book online before 4th May.

Terms and Conditions apply

Expires 04/05/2014”

For more information, please go to www.odeon.co.uk/offers-and-promotions/

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This week in history: 24th March – 30th March

The actor Robert Carradine stood in a forest.

Image via: http://sfsketchfest.com/

This week’s TWIH post combines the births of some influential actors and actresses and the release of a first-of-its-kind film.

On the 24th of March in 1954, in Hollywood, the youngest of the Carradine brothers was born. Robert Carradine began his acting career in 1972 alongside John Wayne in the western classic The Cowboys. One of his best known roles had him portraying Sam McGuire, the father in the Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire. Unknown to many, Robert Carradine also starred in 2012’s Django Unchained!

On the 26th of the same month, in 1985, Keira Knightley was born. She grew up in London, and her first role was a small part in 1993’s Royal Celebration. Since then, she has starred in a huge number of brilliant films, including Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Bend it like Beckham (2002), and Doctor Zhivago (2002). One of her most famous roles is that of Lady Elizabeth Swann, which began in 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. 

The première of Shaun of the Dead was on the 29th of March, 2004. Simon Pegg, one of the leading actors in the film, said that the film was the first ever “rom-com-zom”, or romantic comedy featuring zombies. The film went on to make $30,039,392. Horror great George A. Romero was so impressed with Simon Pegg’s work towards this film that he offered him a cameo role in his 2005 zombie flick Land of the Dead!

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5 of the coolest fictional weapons in film

The image shows Billy Murray, Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd with their roles in the film, Ghostbusters.

Since cinema first began, filmmakers have been crafting new and intriguing weapons. Even though these weapons aren’t real, we sure wish they could be. Cinema has played host to some fantastic fictional weaponry over the years and I believe that these 5 are the best of the bunch (in no particular order).

1. Identity disc, Tron (1982)

Image shows a character from the movie Tron, holding an identity disc.

Image via: blushots.weebly.com

Whilst it may look like a silly, glowing Frisbee to the untrained eye, the identity disc first featured in the 1982 sc-fi film, Tron holds a lot of power. Used to store all data that individual programs and users possess, the identity disc is mainly used as a deadly throwing weapon, de-rezzing any program in its path. On a side note, if you lose your disc, it’ll be end of the line for you.

2. Death Star, Star Wars (1977)

Image shows a large circular space station, the Death Star from the film, Star Wars

Image via: blogs.esa.int

The largest weapon on this list, the Death Star was (spoiler) the biggest weapon of the imperial fleet. With the power to completely decimate any planet it pointed at thanks to the massive green laser on board, the Rebels knew they had to take it out. Completely flawless in design apart from one tiny little detail, a tiny exhaust port that could potentially blow the whole thing up. “That’s no moon, it’s a space station!”

3. Proton Pack, Ghostbusters (1984)

The image shows Billy Murray, Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd with their roles in the film, Ghostbusters.

Image via: hollywood.com

“Don’t cross the streams!” The proton pack, designed by tech expert, Dr. Egon Spengler is designed to lasso ghosts via a proton stream. The device itself however, is rather bulky and requires a rather large batter pack to be taken with you at all times. The proton pack must also be used with caution, crossing the streams may result in some rather unwanted consequences.

4. M41A Pulse Rifle, Aliens (1986)

Image shows protagonist Ellen Ripley brandishes a Pulse Rifle in the movie Aliens.

Image via: lightspeedgaming.blogspot.co.uk

The introduction of the space marines in this Alien sequel brought with it an array of pretty badass weaponry. Most notable of which, is the M41A Pulse Rifle. Protagonist Ellen Ripley brandishes one of these at the end of the film, taking out the queen,
“I wanna introduce you to a personal friend of mine. This is an M41A pulse rifle. Ten millimeter with an over-and-under thirty millimeter pump action grenade launcher.” – Corporal Hicks

5. Lightsaber, Star Wars (1977)

Image shows a red glowing lightsaber from the movie Star Wars

Image via: Leviathyn.com

Nothing is more iconic than the weapon of choice of both the Jedi and the Sith in the Star Wars franchise. The distinct hum of the elegant lightsaber is something that everyone is familiar with, and is certainly the most famous of all fictional weapons.
“This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” – Ben Kenobi

 

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Events, offers and releases 24/03/14

A bedraggled but fierce Russel Crowe runs towards camera as Noah

First up is the latest Marvel instalment in the form of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, starring Chris Evans (Steve Rogers) alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson and Cobie Smulders.

It’s the second Captain America instalment in the series of Marvel films following the first back in 2011 which ended showing Rogers waking up in the 21st century after he had been unconscious and frozen for seven decades after crashing a plane into a glacier at the climax of the first film. Although Rogers featured in The Avengers his struggle to adapt to modern surroundings was only touched on.

The Winter Soldier sees Rogers battling ‘a new threat from old history’ known as the Winter Soldier. Out on Friday March 28th, it’s a must see for any Marvel fan or anybody looking for some high quality action. See the trailer below.

If you’re looking for something lighter at the cinema, The Muppets Most Wanted is also released this Friday. Alongside Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy star several famous faces; Rickey Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey.

The Muppets are on a grand world tour but find themselves caught up in a European jewel-heist masterminded by a Kermit lookalike. Check out the below trailer if you fancy some puppet comedy-action.

If you’re in the London area and love classic films then why not take a trip to Shaker & Company in Hamstead Road. Tonight they’re hosting a Cocktail Cinema Club and showing Casablanca. The event runs from 5-11pm and you can buy two pizzas and two cocktails for £20