… these films out in February 2010:

… The Lovely Bones, directed by Peter Jackson, starring Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, and Susan Sarandon. Based on the award-winning novel of same name, written by Alice Sebold, it can be seen in première in the major big cities in the Netherlands before its official release date.

The Lovely Bones tells the story of fourteen year old Suzie Salmon, who is raped and murdered by a neighbour. After her death, she  sees events developing  from her personal heaven while life goes on within her family, full of wonder and bitterness.

Her  murderer is still  at large. But even if it takes time, leads will find their way to him and, ultimately, Suzie will also find a way to gain her eternal rest.

… The Princess and the Frog, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, and the voices of John Goodman, Anika Nani Rose and Bruno Campos.

Not really based on a particular book, this new Disney film takes the basic fairy tale of the Princess and the Frog and twists it quite a lot. So our princess kisses a frog, but instead of having him change into a prince, she is changed into a frog! And must look for a way to change back. There’s a lot of music, as usually Disney movies have, but this time it’s more jazzy and full of swing. Our princess is actually black – or should I say African-American? – and the scenario is New Orleans.

So in this case, read the fairy tale ( it’s in this, our most popular fairy tale collection) before you watch the movie, just to compare how much they can – and did! – change.

… Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, directed by Chris Columbus and starring Logan Lerman, Uma Thurman and Pierce Brosnan, among others.

Based on the book of same name, written by Rick Riordan, it tells the story of Percy Jackson, a twelve year old boy diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, who has been expelled from several schools. On a trip with his mother, Percy’s mother learns Percy must go to a demigod training camp. As they drive towards camp, they are attacked by a Minotaur which grabs Percy’s mother. Percy sets himself to revenge and slays the Minotaur.

It’s just the start of his adventure and the knowledge he is the son of Poseidon with a human woman, which makes him a demigod. One that might in the future decide the future of the Olympus…

I watched the trailer the other day and it looks incredible! It certainly made me curious about the books as well, since it’s a series of 5 books up to now.

… Oscar et la Dame Rose, written and directed by Eric-Emmanuel Schimtt and starring Max Von Sydow, Amira Casar, Amir and Michele Laroque a.o., is a French film based on the novel of same name. An English language translation, Oscar and the Lady in Pink, was released in 2008.

Ten year old Oscar is sick and nobody tells him the truth about his ilness. Only Rose, a woman with a grumpy attitude, is straightforward with him. They play a game in which Oscar lives a day as if it were 10 years, allowing him to experience life in a short period of time. She also suggests that she should write to God and in his letters, Oscar talks about his suffering, worries, joys, falling in love for the first time, time passing by. A singular friendship develops between Oscar and Rose. Both have no idea how this closeness will affect their future lives.