Odeon tickets up for grabs

08 December 2009

EVERY parent daydreams that their little angel or shepherd will be discovered by a Hollywood agent while watching the annual school nativity play so sooner or later someone was going to make a film about just that.

The eagerly awaited British Christmas film this year is Nativity (U) which is at Weston's Odeon cinema for two weeks from tomorrow (Fri).

The feel-good film, as always, boasts a host of big names including comedy favourite Martin Freeman, of the Office and Love Actually fame, Extras star Ashley Jensen, comedian Alan Carr, Royal Family actor Ricky Tomlinson, Darling Buds of May actress Pam Ferris and comedian John Sessions.

Written and directed by Debbie Isitt, the story centres around Mr Maddens (Freeman), an under-achieving primary school teacher who is in charge of producing the annual Christmas production.

Every year his school competes with a nearby private school to see who can produce the best play and Maddens' school is always the one where a child runs off with the 'Jesus' doll, a fight breaks out or the children forget their lines.

During the manic build-up to the big event Maddens idly lets slip to the head teacher of the posh rival school, the aptly named Mr Shakespeare, that a Tinsel Town producer, aka his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lore (Jensen), will be turning his production into a Hollywood film starring his pupils.

He soon becomes a local celebrity in the middle of quarrelling parents and over-excited children desperate for fame and fortune.

His only hope is to go stateside and find Jennifer, who he has not seen for years and lure Hollywood to town.

But when he gets there he finds out she is a receptionist at the studio, so can he save the day and make everybody's Christmas wishes come true?

Also arriving at the Odeon in time for the festive season is children's adventure Where the Wild Things Are (PG), presented by Warner Bros Pictures and adapted from the classic book by Maurice Sendak.

Directed by Spike Jonze and co-produced by the author along with Hollywood star Tom Hanks among others, the film stars 12-year-old Max Records, as a misunderstood boy who after being sent to bed without his supper for being naughty creates his own world - an island inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.

The story explores the theme of childhood and the places we go to figure out the world we live in.

If you are looking to get away from the kids the drama Law Abiding Citizen (18), also showing at the town's cinema might just be the ticket.

Starring movie hardmen Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx it tells the story of Butler's character, Clyde Shelton's, revenge on the justice system which failed him and his brutally murdered family.

Directed by F Gary Gray and written by Kurt Wimmer, the Hollywood blockbuster also features Irish actor Colm Meaney.

* The Weston and Somerset Mercury has teamed up with the Odeon to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to see a film of their choice, subject to availability.

To enter the competition, simply answer the following question: What job does Mr Maddens' former girlfriend do at the Hollywood studio?

Usual Archant Rules apply and the editor's decision is final. Please check availability with Weston Odeon box office before arriving with your winning tickets.