The Golden Compass

The first film to be based on Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. This was produced by New Line Cinema, who also made the Lord Of The Rings films, and they are obviously hoping to repeat that success with these films.

Set in a parallel world, where humans have external souls or 'daemons', usually in the form of animals. A young girl, Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards - great name!), living in an alternative Oxford, embarks on series of adventures which take her to the island of Svalbard in the arctic ocean.

On the way she encounters a Texan airship captain, Sam Elliot, and hires the services of an alcoholic armoured fighting polar bear, voiced by Ian McKellen. Daniel Craig, the latest Bond, plays an Indiana Jones type adventurous scholar and his co-star from Casino Royale, Eva Green, plays the queen of the witches.

Top Ten Fantasy Books

Good fantasy literature I think requires two vital elements to be present:

Imagination – the ability to dream, to create new wonders, to explore new realms and bring them to life. In fantasy the ideas can be original or not, that is not important. Often the re-use of the old, of archetypes and legends, is of crucial importance in fantasy, which is a form of literature that connects us with our deep past. On the other hand, I personally value originality in approach, and I notice that this list seems to consist largely of works by unique, one of a kind writers. It's the power of their imagination which is so vital, which makes their works so unforgettable.

Storytelling – the story must captivate the readers or listeners. This ancient art goes back many aeons to the first cro-magnons huddled around the cave fires, listening to the shaman's tales of the mysterious world(s) beyond… And it is just as important today. Fantasy is about stories, things have to happen, events have to unfold, quests have to be fulfilled, monsters killed or perhaps heroes (as the case may be), uppances have to be comed, and consequences have to be faced. Homer knew this when writing the Odyssey, as did all fantasy writers (and tellers) since.

So, once more into the breach. Here's my list.

Beowulf

Beowulf is a new film version of the Anglo Saxon epic poem, which as every schoolboy knows is the oldest poem in the (Old) English language.

It tells the story of the hero Beowulf in his battles against the monster Grendel, then Grendel's mother, then finally in his old age against a mighty dragon.

This is an animated version, with a lot of clever CGI trickery, though all the actors are quite recognisable. Ray Winstone plays Beowulf, a real hero though given to boasting and lying. Anthony Hopkins is old King Hrothgar, complete with Welsh accent, as indeed all the Danes seem to have funnily enough. And Beowulf speaks cockney - gor blimey! John Malkovich is also on good form as the slimy and devious councillor Unferth.

Stardust

Stardust is a film is based on the book of the same name by Neil Gaiman. I've been a big fan of Gaiman's work for a few years now, especially the epic "Sandman" graphic novel series, also other works like "American Gods".

Stardust was a nice little book, slightly different from Gaiman's other work. An almost whimsical fairy tale, but with plenty of his usual dry humour. Clearly inspired by Lord Dunsany's "The King Of Elfland's Daughter", it starts off in a quiet English village near a Wall, which separates our world from Beyond, and tells the story of what happens to a mortal who happens to cross the Wall.

Top Ten Science Fiction Novels

"A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight." - Roberston Davies

Here is a list of my top 10 Science Fiction Novels. It's purely subjective, based on what I have enjoyed most over the years. These are the ones that stand out for me as all time classics, that are worth reading and re-reading. In fact each time I read them, I discover something new.