Every year there are a number of fantasy movies that are released around the festive season in the past we have had The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Narnia and this year is no different

I Am Legend
With an estimated budget of $150 million and a scene that is the most expensive ever shot in New York I Am Legend sees Will Smith return to the big screen after his performance in The Pursuit of Happiness.Based on Richard Matheson's 1954 novella I Am Legend is part sci-fi part horror.Germ warfare has wiped out 90% of the population and has left the other 10% horrifically altered by the effects.All except Robert Neville, the only true human alive, and immune to the effects of the virus. Day after day Neville gets closer to finding the cure, using his won immune DNA, but every day the infected get closer and closer to killing him.

Matheson's book, a cult classic, has already produced two films The Last Man On Earth in 1964 and The Omega Man in 1971.

But this is perhaps the most troubled production in Hollywood history. Warner Bros. have owned the rights to the novel since 1970 but failed to get it made.

Then in 1994 Ridley Scott, with Arnold Swarzenegger in the lead role attempted the project but the budget got too big.

Then in 2002 Will Smith and director Michael Bay considered the project but went on to film Bad Boys II.

But now Contantine's Francis Lawrence is on directorial duties.

I Am Legend is released Jan 4th.

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The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass is the big screen adaptation of part one of Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.

It follows Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), an orphan in a parallel world. When her best friend disappears Lyra vows to find him.

She is given an althiometer, a golden compass like artifact ,to help her on her quest an object that many people are violently determined to possess.

Lyra is forced to call upon the help of clans, gyptians and armoured polar bears in this epic adventure.

Dakota Blue Richards beat off 10,000 girls to land the role of Lyra and heading up the adult cast is Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig with the voice talent of Kathy Bates and Ian McKellen.

But the film already looks like it will cause controversy as the anti-religious theme, that is very prominent in the series of novels, has been watered down - no doubt to appeal to middle America.

And Christian groups are complaining that the film is embarking on a pro-atheist campaign and they believe that the film will turn children away from the church.

Make up you own mind when it's released on 5th December

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Beowulf

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the tale of Beowulf it was an Anglo Saxon poem which was written in the Middle Ages.

It told of the hero Beowulf who battled three enemies Grendel, Grendel's mother and a dragon in a bid to save Denmark.

In the new movie Beowulf destroys the overpowering demon Grendel, he incurs the undying wrath of the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother, who will use any means possible to ensure revenge.

Beowulf's relationship with Grendel's mother is not part of the original poem.

Director Robert Zemeckis used a motion capture stage during shooting to make the impressive cast of Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie and Anthony Hopkins animated.

Zemeckis is a dab hand at motion capture as he was the man behind the successful Polar Express with Tom Hanks.

Beowulf is released 16th November

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Stardust

Still doing the business at the box office is Stardust starring Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Charlie Cox and Robert De Niro.

Having made his name with gangster flick Layer Cake Matthew Vaughn has taken on family cinema with this adaptation of Neil Gaiman's fantasy- adventure novel.

In a bid to win Victoria's heart Tristan (Cox) promises to bring back a fallen star.

To prove his love Tristan escapes from Wall in an attempt to find the star but when he does he comes face to face with Yvaine (Danes).

But Tristan isn't the only one looking for the star: the king of Stormhold (Peter O'Toole) is dying one of his surviving sons must find a precious stone to be crowned the next king - a stone than is now in Yvaine's possession.

Also in pursuit of the star is a trio of witches who will use Yvaine's heart to restore their youthful beauty. Lamia (Pfeiffer) sets out to capture Yvaine.

On a $65 million budget this is a new level of film making for Vaughn as he jumps into major leagues with big stars and bigger budgets.

This is a family orientated film with superb cast in particular the turns from Michelle Pfeiffer as the evil Lamia and Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare.

Stardust is out now.

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Helen Earnshaw