Coming soon to a cinema near you - Autumn 2008

A summer of blockbuster hits has passed us by, The Dark Knight, Mamma Mia...so what's left for autumn 2008?

With the movement of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince pushed back to next summer, it has been a chaotic month as far as theatrical release dates go.

But all is not lost as a feast of comedy, adventure, action and an enthralling thriller awaits....

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People may seem like a slightly long title but it is creating a buzz in the lead up to its release on October 3rd.

Sidney Young works for the Post Modern Review which ridicules the stars the media loves.

'Based on the true story of a real idiot', the out of touch journalist is sent to work on a glossy magazine in New York.

Providing Sidney with a lifestyle full of beautiful women and high-flyers, the film is clearly playing solely on the misfit nature of the main character.

Highly anticipated actors Simon Pegg, who is Sidney and Kirsten Dunst, who plays an intern set to reprimand the former on all his mishaps, will grace the screen.

With previous successes including Dawn of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Pegg is known to create great comedy- the trailer gets a few laughs but I wonder if you will be lunging for a tissue instead!

Now for some crazy animated adventures as The Madagascar sequel: Escape to Africa hits the big screen on November 7th.

As a sequel to a film which grossed over $332 million in the worldwide box office and became the number one animated film of 2005, Escape to Africa has a lot to live up to.

Marooned on the shores of Madagascar, a trip to New York in a repaired old plane goes horribly wrong when the penguins have to crash land in...you guessed it...Africa!

A carnival rendition of 'I like to move it, move it' opens the trailer and a flurry of bum shaking and foot stomping makes you want to clap your hands and sing along!

With voices by Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith and Sacha Baron Cohen there are expected jokes all round!

If this doesn't please you then the dumbfounded look of hundreds of raving meercats and the charming 'oh so sure of themselves' penguins provides some quality moments!

So the trailer is a laugh, I wonder if the film will follow suit?

Coming to a cinema near you on October 31st, Quantum of Solace is the most highly anticipated film this autumn and the reasons are obvious!

Halina Watts

Coming to a cinema near you on October 31st, Quantum of Solace is the most highly anticipated film this autumn and the reasons are obvious!

It's Bond, its sexy and most importantly, it's Daniel Craig, up close and this time, very personal.

Following the plot of Casino Royal Bond returns with a vengeance.

Oh yes, this 22nd Bond film sees the main man seeking revenge for the murder of his lover Vespa Lynd.

Filled with action, explosions, some very hot women, the brilliant Dame Judi Dench and the ever-present theme tune, the trailer is a hit and probably just the tip of something truly riveting!

Now for those who love to sing, dance and flaunt your bits all at the same time, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, will be arriving with us very soon - 22nd October to be precise!

In essence it is one long cheesy pop video with flashy costumes, as the trailer reveals, yet this is why High School Musical has proved so popular.

Senior Year sees the kids nearly grown up and having to say goodbye.

With an emotional subtext, this Walt Disney motion picture will either turn you into a beetroot like colour due to embarrassment or have you jumping on your seat and begging for more!

Cinemas are expecting it to pull in the crowds and I wonder if it will?

With few other great films expected for release this autumn, Body of Lies, hitting screens on November 21st, could be an interesting viewing.

With critically acclaimed Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, we are hoping for something great!

DiCaprio plays a former journalist Roger Ferris who has been injured in the Iraq war.

Hired by the CIA to track down an Al Qaeda leader in Jordan, he has to gain the support of CIA veteran Ed Hoffman (Crowe) and the head of Jordanian intelligence.

A web of fear and entrapment and a trail of deceit ensue.

In essence, it probes into the question of who, when it comes to war, can you really trust.

So here is the round up of the best films this autumn, use that student discount, see as much as you can and lets hope this season of film doesn't disappoint!