Cinema

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Still packing in the crowds, young and older, at cinemas across the country, this is a delightful movie based on the first book in J.K. Rowling's phenomenally popular fictional creation. Blending its Dickensian influences with terrific special effects - notably the thrilling Quidditch game - it stars a fine cast led by youngsters Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, along with the redoubtable Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman and Robbie Coltrane. It runs for two hours and 35 minutes, but the eight young viewers sitting in front of me were rapt with attention throughout.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring

The first film from the Tolkein trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, is an elaborate spectacle shot on New Zealand locations and featuring an international cast led by Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellan, Ian Holm, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler and Sean Bean. The three-hour running time may prove too demanding for very young viewers. It opens on December 19th, with the other films in the trilogy set to follow over the next two Christmasses.

The Princess Diaries

Julie Andrews, the Queen Mother of family films, plays the wealthy queen of the fictional kingdom of Genovia in this fantasy tale, already a popular success in the US. A spin on Pygmalion and Pretty Woman, it co-stars Anne Hathaway as the gawky teenager who is tutored in the ways of royalty by the regal Andrews. It opens on December 21st.