Brendan Fraser stars in his umpteenth CGI heavy kids' film – here, as a man who can make fictional characters appear when he reads aloud. Considering it's based on a hit novel by Cornelia Funke, it's odd how many plot holes and loose ends Inkheart has. But as a family adventure, replete with monsters, magic and dotty grown-ups (Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren), it's a better post-Potter effort than both The Golden Compass and Prince Narnia.

Oscar-winner to star in Racine's 'Phaedra' as National Theatre broadcasts live theatre to 150 cinemas worldwide

The successor to 'Prime Suspect' has a new young heroine as its star. Gerard Gilbert investigates Lynda La Plante's latest creation

A new book by the journalist Quentin Letts lists the people he believes have 'buggered up' Britain. But what about those who've changed things for the better? Simon Carr presents his roll of honour

Harry Enfield is in a spot of bother with the government of the Philippines over a sketch in his Harry and Paul show. In that sketch, Harry tried to mate his pet Geordie, played by Paul Whitehouse, with a Filipina maid.

A motley crew drowning in their sorrows

In order for any kind of civic virtue to be taken seriously in 2008, some kind of award must be created for it – a prize to remind us all that, in spite of all the terrible things that are going on, some good still exists in the world. There is the Pride of Britain Awards for our teachers, social workers and have-a-go heroes. Winner of Rural Hero of the Year is shortly to be announced.

The actress stepped into a political and social minefield when she claimed date rape should not be a matter for the courts. Paul Vallely examines an issue which raises divisive issues of women's rights and personal responsibility

They have been the most widely published snaps of the summer: Helen Mirren, bikini-clad and looking stunning at 63. How did it happen? Ian Burrell reports

It was only a bikini. But it had the power to set tongues wagging and pulses racing around the globe. Pictures of Dame Helen Mirren luxuriating on the beach at Puglia in southern Italy last Tuesday sent media commentators into a frenzy. Some have applauded the 62-year-old for her figure, while others blanched at the prospect of myriad wrinkly copycats trying to emulate her this summer.

From the African jungle where Tarzan swings through the trees to the pea-souper skies of London where Mary Poppins floats on high, Bob Crowley's set designs have been the backdrop for some of the biggest theatrical hits to grace the West End and Broadway.

When Tony Blair and Gordon Brown launched the idea of New Labour, it was as a crusade to be modern. A typical speech would go: "Mister chairman, brothers and sisters, modern modern modern modern modern. New Britain new modern modern. Modern modern modern, thank you," (23 minute standing ovation).

Just as the demand for 'nostalgia-lit' grows, two new films on The Famous Five are set for release. Katy Guest reminisces

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