I am usually one of those people who has read the book first and therefore understands everything that is happening in a film and marvels at how well they managed to fit it all in. For The Golden Compass, however, I went in with a fresh brain.

Lyra Belaqua (Richards) is living at Oxford University in a parallel universe. In this world, a person's soul is externalised as an animal companion that you can talk with. Lyra accidentally overhears a mysterious conversation about a particle called Dust found in the north, which has the potential to unite all the universes. But there are those who fear the particle and will stop at nothing to destroy it. Thrust into the heart of a terrible struggle, Lyra is forced to seek aid from gyptians, witches and armoured bears. Sinister characters abound, as do unlikely allies.

I guess I'm a book girl at heart because although I found this film visually stunning, I felt that the story was rushed. I want to know everything � in depth � swirl the concepts around in my mouth a bit before I ingest them. There was so much going on and so much background that it was confusing at times. However, the story is engaging and the world of The Golden Compass is fascinating. There are some wonderful performances from the main actors and the effects are very well done. This film is definitely worth a look.

In Hollywood's golden era, Warner Brothers was the studio for swashbucklers � and Daffy Duck wants a starring role in one. Pitching his idea for the adventures of the Scarlet Pumpernickel, he must come up with the climax to end all climaxes. This film is the only one in which Mel Blanc provides the voice of Elmer Fudd.

The character of The Scarlet Pimpernel was first seen in 1903 in a play and subsequently in 1905 in an extremely popular novel. From this novel, the story has been made into countless movies, TV shows, a Broadway musical as well as numerous sequel novels. Even with so many different adaptations, this version of The Scarlet Pimpernel is still considered by many as the best film adaptation of the story.

Sir Percey Blakeney (Howard) is an English aristocrat who leads an extraordinary double life. It is 1793, during the French Revolution, and the new regime is leading the so-called Reign of Terror: executing thousands under accusations of anti-revolutionary activities. Blakeney, along with a band of other British gentlemen, operating from England, rescues French noblemen who have been sentenced to death by the guillotine, leaving only a small red pimpernel flower at the scene.

The actor's performances (especially Howard and Oberon) in this film are excellent. It's worth seeing the film just for the fine acting displayed by these two. If the fine acting alone isn't enough to make you want to see this classic, perhaps the opportunity to see The Scarlet Pimpernel dressed up as an old woman and easily fooling French soldiers will be.