With the summer of CGI driven blockbusters and sequels which included Pirates of the Caribbean, Spiderman 3 and The Bourne Ultimatum all but over we can now look for ward to movies on the run up to Christmas. The race for Oscar glory starts here.The first real Oscar contender comes in the shape of Atonement boasting a majority British cast including Academy Award nominee Kiera Knightley, Academy Award winner Vanessa Redgrave and James McAvoy, who's star just keeps of rising.Atonement is an adaptation of Ian McEwan's best selling novel, a tale spanning several decades.Thirteen year old Briony changes the lives of several people when she accuses her sister Cecilia's lover Robbie of a crime that he didn't commit - the rape of their cousin.Robbie is sent to prison, but when World War II breaks out he is sent to fight for his country and is in France during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.On directorial duties is Joe Wright in only his second feature film, his first being 2005's Pride and Prejudice which earnt him the BAFTA for most promising newcomer.
Atonement is relaesed September 7th
An Oscar nomination could come the way of Samuel L. Jackson for his role in Resurrecting the Champ.
Up and coming sports journalist Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett) is living in the shadow of his father.
Bit when he saves a homeless man from a group of college kids he finds himself face to face with Bob Satterfield 'the Champ' a one time boxing great, and a man many pressumed had died.
Kernan's story on Champ doesn't just give him the chance to prove himself as a writer but it gives him the chance to examine his own life es pecially the relationship he has with his son.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
The Golden Age is the sequel to the 1998 movie Elizabeth. Elizabeth is preparing to go to war as her rule is being openly challenged by Spanish king Phillip II and his Armarda.
Phillip wants to return England to Catholicism.
But Elizabeth is struggling to balance her royal duties with her unexpected attraction to Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). But a public relationship is forbidden as she has pledged her body and soul to her country.
In a bid to keep Raleigh near she asks her lady in waiting Bess to befriend him but Elizabeth is then forced to watch their growing intimacy.
Blanchett reprises her Oscar nominated role as the formidable monarch and Geoffory Rush returns as her faithful advisor Walsingham who uncovers an assassination plot that could topple the crown.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age is released November 2nd.
Eastern Promises
David Cronenberg's new picture follows the mysterious yet ruthless Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) who is associated with one of London's most nortorious organised crime families.
His carefully maintained existence is put in jepordy when he meets midwife Anna (Naomi Watts) who is searching for the identity and family of a young girl who died during child birth on Christmas Eve.
Her search leads her to an underground sex trafficing business run by London's Russian crime community.
This sets into motion a harrowing chain of events including murder, deceit and retribution.
Beowulf
A star studded cast including John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie star in the big screen version of the legend Beowulf.
The mighty warrior Beowulf (Ray Winstone) is battling the demon Grendel who is terrorising towns. He later incurs the wrath of the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother who begins killing out of revenge.
The picture culminates in an epic clash that forges the Beowulf legend.
Beowulf is released November 16th.
30 Days of Night
Josh Hartnett returns in his second film of the autumn in this adaptation of the comic book series.
An Alaskan town is plunged into darkness for a month each year when the sun dipps below the horizon. But as the light fades the town is attacked by a group of blood thirsty vampires.
Only the husband and wife team who are the Sheriff and the deputy are the town's last hope.
Starring Josh Hartnett, Melissa George and Danny Huston.
30 Days of Night is released November 2nd.
The Golden Compass
The Christmas period is never complete without a fantasy movie in the past this has included the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Narnia.
The Golden Compass is this festive season's fantasy film starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Eva Green and Dakota Blue Richards.
The story tells of Lyra's adventure to the far north in search of a friend and to rescue them from the forces of darkness.
The Golden Compass is based on Northern lights the first novel in Phillip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials.
Helen Earnshaw