The Golden Compass - December 2007

Based on author Philip Pullman’s bestselling and award-winning novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. The Golden Compass is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people’s souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who’s been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers - and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well.

Director: Chris Weitz
Writers :Chris Weitz (screenplay) and Philip Pullman (novel)
Genre: Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Novel-Based
Rating: PG-13

Casts:

• Nicole Kidman as Marisa Coulter
• Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel
• Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua
• Ben Walker as Roger
• Freddie Highmore voice of Pantalaimon
• Ian McKellen voice of Iorek Byrnison
• Eva Green as Serafina Pekkala
• Jim Carter as John Faa
• Tom Courtenay as arder Coram
• Ian McShane voice of Ragnar Sturlusson
• Sam Elliott as Lee Scoresby
• Christopher Lee as First High Councilor
• Kristin Scott Thomas voice of Stelmaria
• Edward de Souza as Second High Councilor
• Kathy Bates voice of Hester

In a parallel Oxford, young Lyra Belacqua begins a dimension-crossing odyssey that builds from a merely atypical children's adventure into a complex (and frequently quite dark) philosophical epic.

Lyra Belaqua, living in Oxford's Jordan College, is not but a young girl living among scholars. Her world may seem diverse, from physical embodiments of souls that take the shape of an animal, but similar with people around you to become friends and enemies. She is thrown into a perilous adventure when she overhears a conversation of an extraordinary microscopic particle, Dust. This particle is said to unite different worlds, and is feared by many who want to destroy it forever. As Lyra is flung into the middle of this horrible struggle, she meets wondrous creatures both big and small, and villains who are not what they seem. Gobblers, that kidnap children, will turn out in the most unexpected places. And a magical compass of gold that will answer any question if one is skilled enough to read it. Lyra's adventure continues throughout these three books, and the first is about to be told.

The Other Boleyn Girl - February 2008

Based on the best selling novel by Philippa Gregory, 'The Other Boleyn Girl' is an engrossing and sensual tale of intrigue, romance, and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in history. Two sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious Father and Uncle to advance the family’s power and status by courting the affections of the King of England (Eric Bana). Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life -- and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the King. Initially, Mary wins King Henry's favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him two illegitimate children. But Anne, clever, conniving and fearless, edges aside both her sister and Henry’s wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the King. Despite Mary's genuine feelings for Henry, her sister Anne has her sights set on the ultimate prize; Anne will not stop until she is Queen of England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of a King -- one driven by ambition, the other by true affection -- England is torn apart. Despite the dramatic consequences, the Boleyn girls ultimately find strength and loyalty in each other, and they remain forever connected by their bond as sisters.

Directed by Justin Chadwick
Produced by Mark Cooper, Alison Owen and Scott Rudin
Written by Philippa Gregory(novel) and Peter Morgan (screenplay)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama / History / Romance
In Theathers: February 29, 2008

Casts:

• Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn
• Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn
• Eric Bana as King Henry VIII
• Jim Sturgess as George Boleyn
• Kristin Scott Thomas as Lady Elizabeth
• Juno Temple as Jane Parker
• Benedict Cumberbatch as William Carey
• Eddie Redmayne as William Stafford
• Alfie Allen as King's Messenger
• Ana Torrent as Katharine of Aragon
• Oliver Coleman as Henry Percy
• Jade Ramsey as Noble Twin
• Mark Rylance as Sir Thomas Boleyn
• Nikita Ramsey as Noble Twin
• Tiffany Freisberg as Mary Talbot
• Christopher Fosh as Nobleman

The feature, helmed by Justin Chadwick, follows two ferociously ambitious sisters, Mary and Anne Boleyn, who were rivals for the bed and heart of King Henry VIII. Portman and Johansson will star as the sisters, with Bana playing the King. Two sisters contend for the affection of King Henry VIII. Based on the novel by Philippa Gregory, THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL is directed by Justin Chadwick and starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, and Jim Sturgess.

Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day - March 2008

Based on the Novel written by British Author Winifred Watson. Can you get a life and discover love, all in one day? Two women are about to find out. In the sophisticated and heartfelt comedy Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Academy Award winner Frances McDormand plays the film’s title role opposite Academy Award nominee Amy Adams (star of the blockbuster Enchanted).The cast also includes Golden Globe Award nominee Lee Pace (of the hit series Pushing Daisies), Ciarán Hinds (There Will Be Blood), Shirley Henderson (the Harry Potter films), Mark Strong (Stardust), and screen newcomer Tom Payne. In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (played by Ms. McDormand) is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from her job. Without so much as severance pay, Miss Pettigrew realizes that she must – for the first time in two decades – seize the day. This she does, by intercepting an employment assignment outside of her comfort level – as “social secretary.” Arriving at a penthouse apartment for the interview, Miss Pettigrew is catapulted into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Ms. Adams). Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a heady high-society milieu – and, within hours, living it up. Taking the “social secretary” designation to heart, she tries to help her new friend Delysia navigate a love life and career, both of which are complicated by the three men in Delysia’s orbit; devoted pianist Michael (Mr. Pace), intimidating nightclub owner Nick (Mr. Strong), and impressionable junior impresario Phil (Mr. Payne). Miss Pettigrew herself is blushingly drawn to the gallant Joe (Mr. Hinds), a successful designer who is tenuously engaged to haughty fashion maven Edythe (Ms. Henderson) – the one person who senses that the new “social secretary” may be out of her element, and schemes to undermine her. Over the next 24 hours, Guinevere and Delysia will empower each other to discover their romantic destinies.

Directed by Bharat Nalluri
Produced by Stephen Garrett
Written by David Magee and Simon Beaufoy
In Theathers: March 7, 2008
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13

Casts:

• Frances McDormand as Miss Pettigrew
• Amy Adams as Delysia Lafosse
• Ciarán Hinds as Joe
• Shirley Henderson as Edythe Dubarry
• Lee Pace as Michael
• Tom Payne as Phil Goldman
• Mark Strong as Nick

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a 2008 romantic comedy film starring Frances McDormand and Amy Adams, based on the 1938 novel by British author Winifred Watson.

Middle-aged London governess Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job. An attempt to gain new employment catapults her into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams). Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a heady high-society milieu--and, by the end of the day, discovers her own romantic destiny.