Results tagged “MERYL STREEP” from Birmingham Mail - Couch Potato
BIRMINGHAM actor Adrian Lester has just been on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC1) - and done himself proud.
You'd never guess he was a day over 26, but he's actually going to hit the big 4-0 in August.
His achievements in theatre, on TV and in film (not forgetting a newly-acquired black belt after 12 years of study) mean that this happily married, father-of-two girls is the perfect role model for all inner city kids, whatever their background.
He's often told me that he'd never have made it without the MAC so it was good that he gave the Midlands Arts Centre - to give it its full name - two good plugs.
Ross even seemed quite interested, asking if it was still there.
All in all, it was good to see that Birmingham actually got a mention on a national chat show.
The reason why it often doesn't is the fact that so many people are shamefully ignorant about the city, as this show proved only too well.
When Ross asked Adrian about his Birmingham roots, he wondered if he might have come from either the Black Country or... get this, Kidderminster!
Whether he's on £18 million or not, surely Ross can afford an atlas and be able to spend a few minutes looking at it.
Since when has Kiddie - just the odd 17 miles away - been part of Brum?
PS. As I've written in the Birmingham Mail before, it would be a dream come true for Adrian to open the MAC when it opens again next Autumn after a £13 million refurb.
Let's hope the organisers, when they are not thinking about how many more lovely trees they can chop down in Cannon Hill Park, have the sense to ask him.
PS2. And wasn't Meryl Streep lovely at the end, despite having to sit through one of Ross's dullest-ever interviews after Adrian had gone off? I can't wait to see Mamma Mia! again when it opens.
I SAW MAMMA MIA (PG) today - and predict it will be a monster hit throughout the summer with ABBA fans going back time and again to see it.
The whole movie is so deliciously silly and funny from start to finish it will brighten up everyone's holidays.
Assuming, of course, you can't stand ABBA. In which case, you should run a mile. Or see a psychiatrist - preferably in Scotland where they think Rod Stewart is a good singer.
According to figures from the Film Distributors' Association, here's the top ten UK films of all time.
1 Titanic 20th Century Fox £69,025,646
2 Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone Warner Bros. £66,096,060
3 Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring Entertainment £63,009,288
4 Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King Entertainment £61,062,348
5 Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers Entertainment £57,600,094
6 Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets Warner Bros. £54,780,731
7 Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (BVI) UK £52,515,550
8 The Full Monty 20th Century Fox £52,232,058
9 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Twentieth Century Fox £51,063,811
10 Casino Royale Sony Pictures £50,734,856
Depending on the weather and the economy, I reckon Mamma Mia! could gatecrash the top ten. And it wouldn't surprise me if it didn't challenge Titanic.
Especially as the financial downturn might even work in its favour.
Two reasons. ABBA fans - and there's plenty of them - could see it five times each and still have change from £30 (outside of London). What a bargain!
Moreover, we're all in need of cheering up... and this is the best film medicine in years, far more rewatchable than the Harry Potter and Star Wars nonsense that's hogging three of the top ten places.
Mamma Mia! stars our very own Julie Walters on top form alongside Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth (whose Bridget Jones's Diary is 17th with £42 million).
It's released on Thursday, July 10 so book your tickets for the opening weekend now - and don't miss our full review in the What's On section of the Birmingham Mail on Friday, July 11.
ADRIAN Lester is set to be a guest on Friday's July 4 edition of the Jonathan Ross show on BBC1.
He's one of Birmingham's leading lights across film (Primary Colors), TV (Hustle) and theatre (Hamlet worldwide) having grown up in the Pershore Road / Speedwell Road area.
Adrian caught the acting bug at the MAC and he was also a choirboy at St Chad's, so let's see if he even gets the chance to mention anything about Brum.
He should certainly be held up as a shining example to all inner city children - a far better role model than films like Adulthood.
When Trevor Eve was on this show recently, you'd never have guessed where he originally came from, yet someone like Michael Parkinson, for example, was always able to retain the 'professional Yorkshireman' element when it suited him.
Adrian should make a point of trying to mention Birmingham as often as he can - if only to make up for all of the times when the city is ignored.
It would also be a good way of impressing fellow guest Meryl Streep, star of the fantastic Mamma Mia!
