Projects matching: Chris Columbus

Synopsis

Life is not easy for our young Barbara Thorson. Defiant, precocious, outspoken, and a loner, Barbara relates more to the make-believe world of Dungeons & Dragons. At home, she makes life difficult for her older sister, Karen, who is responsible for taking care of her and her brother. At school, psychologist Mrs. Mollé takes an interest in Barbara's increasingly worrisome behaviour. As she deals with loss and bullying, Barbara's imagined life begins spilling into her real one and she becomes obsessed with what she sees as her quest: killing giants. It's only when she's forced to face the truth and overcome her fears that Barbara is able to confront her demons. Based on the Man of Action Graphic Novel 'I Kill Giants' created by Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2017 - Discovery and TIFF Kids - World premiere

Synopsis

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has not had a good summer. Not only has he had to put up with his overbearing Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) and Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths) and their dread of his magical abilities, but it seems as if Harry's best friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) have forgotten him as they haven't replied to a single one of his letters. Then, suddenly and mysteriously, house-elf Dobby appears in Harry's bedroom and warns him of great danger if he should attempt to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dobby is so eager to prevent the young Gryffindor from returning to Hogwarts, he has blocked all of Ron and Hermione's correspondence from reaching Harry. But despite the elf's mischievous efforts, the ever-determined Harry is rescued from the Dursleys' dreary clutches by Ron and his brothers - with the aid of a flying car! - and whisked into the warmth of the Weasley household. But when Harry and Ron are suspiciously prevented from entering Platform 93/4 and boarding the Hogwarts Express back to school, the boys take emergency action to avoid being late for the new term - only to incur the wrath of Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), who calls for their expulsion after they crash the flying Ford Anglia into Hogwarts' enchanted Whomping Willow tree. Meanwhile, news of Harry's first year heroism has spread throughout Hogwarts and he finds himself the centre of much unwanted attention. His new fans include Ron's little sister Ginny (Bonnie Wright); first year would-be photographer Colin Creevey (Hugh Mitchell); and most irritatingly, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh). Outshone only by his own vanity, Lockhart craves the attention that Harry shuns and is all too willing to associate himself with Hogwarts' young hero. But not even Lockhart can offer an explanation for the sinister new terror that is gripping the school. Now all eyes are on Harry, and his friends are beginning to doubt him. Everyone, that is, except Ron, Hermione and fragile young Ginny, whose focus has turned to her mysterious new diary. But Harry is not about to let his friends down and, with or without the support of Gilderoy Lockhart, he will confront the dark force lurking in his beloved school.

Synopsis

Harry Potter has learned to live with his bullying uncle Vernon, his callous aunt Petunia and the constant whining of his greedy, spoiled cousin Dudley. He's even learned to live with sleeping in the cupboard under the stairs. Harry's relatives have just as reluctantly learned to live with the unwelcome presence of their orphaned relation, a constant reminder of Petunia's 'wayward' sister and brother-in-law and their mysterious and untimely demise. Even the impending arrival of his 11th birthday offers no excitement for Harry - as usual, there's little chance of cards, presents or any kind of birthday treat. This year, however, is different. Based on the first of J.K. Rowling's popular children's novels about Harry Potter, telling the story of a boy who learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. At Hogwarts, he finds the home and the family he has never had.