James Holmes, the former PhD-student accused of killing 12 people in Colorado when he opened fire in a cinema during a midnight screening of Batman, intends to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, his lawyers have said.

1901 The year that Queen Victoria died – signalling the end of her eponymous era. This Christmas, however, the festive spirit of the Victorian period lives on at Saltwell Park in Gateshead, which has been transformed by the after-dark arts experience, Enchanted Parks. Visitors can see illuminated installations such as "Glimpses of Victoriana", costumed characters and trees that respond when given a hug. Evenings 5-9 December. Tickets £6. Newcastlegateshead.com

Early years in Liverpool gave him the perfect voice for John Lennon in the animated ‘Yellow Submarine’ film

St Paul's Cathedral in London yesterday hosted a memorial to Vidal Sassoon, the London-born pioneer of the "bob" hairstyle which epitomised the Swinging Sixties.

From folding up the streets of Paris in Inception to making a magical world fit for a boy wizard in the Harry Potter series, British special effects designers know how to bewitch cinemagoers.

The 1975 movie Jaws can be in people's thoughts when they are paddling out to sea on a lilo. But you don't have to go all the way to a holiday resort for a bit of terror. Next month the Thames will have its own in the form of a shark-fin gliding through the water, before a screening of the fully restored blockbuster.

Studio estimates say latest film in the Bourne series took $40.3m (£25.7m) in its opening weekend

Christian Bale, the British star of the Batman films, visited survivors of the Colorado cinema shooting on Tuesday, and thanked medical staff and police officers who responded to the attack that killed 12 people and injured 58 others.

Citizens rush to arm themselves as public paranoia sparks incidents in other states

Oscar-nominated actress Anne Hathaway lived up to her reputation as Hollywood's golden girl in a gold floor-length Gucci gown at the European premiere of The Dark Knight Rises in London.

At an age, 79, when most of his acting peers have either long since retired or seen their careers simply fade away, Sir Michael Caine has no intention of quietly shuffling off the Hollywood stage.

Batman's back for a spectacular (if spectacularly long) adventure

Treyarch looking to 'redefine storytelling' within the franchise.

We mark the retirement of one of acting's legends with some of his finest moments of boozy mayhem