Arthur and the Invisibles 2006 PG, 95 min. Genre: Family / Fantasy
Director: Luc Besson Cast: Freddie Highmore, Mia Farrow, Penny Balfour, Doug Rand, Adam LeFevre, Jean Bejote Njamba, Serge Blumental, Madonna, Jimmy Fallon, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Chazz Palminteri, Emilio Estevez, Snoop Dogg, David Bowie
Ten-year-old Arthur's (Freddie Highmore) grandfather disappeared four years ago and left behind notebooks filled with stories about a place in the back field of their farm. That area marks the spot of the magical land of the Minimoys where tiny invisible people live. The land is also where Arthur's grandfather hid a treasure. While Arthur and Granny (Mia Farrow) are waiting for the grandfather to return, bank collectors decide to take over the family farm. Arthur tries to save the farm by finding his way into the magical land where he meets the King (voice of Robert De Niro) and his daughter (voice of Madonna)–a big step in Arthur's adventure in which he has three days to rescue the treasure and his grandfather. In the process, Arthur tries to prevent the evil wizard Maltazard the Cursed (voice of David Bowie) from taking over the Minimoys' land.
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Astro Boy 2009 PG, 94 min. Genre: Family / Animation / Action / Sci-Fi
Director: David Bowers Cast: Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Eugere Levy, Matt Lucas, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland, Charlise Theron, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicolas Cage, Moises Arias, Sterling Beaumon, Madeline Carroll, Victor Bonavida, Tony Matthews
In this animated film, Astro Boy (voice of Freddie Highmore) is a super-powered robot created by Dr. Tenma (voice of Nicholas Cage) in the image of his deceased son and is then rejected by Tenma. While on a wilderness journey, during which he seeks acceptance and learns to experience human emotions, Astro Boy encounters an underworld army of robots. Then, he learns that his family is in danger and returns home to reconcile with his father in Metro City and to save those he cares for.
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August Rush 2007 PG, 113 min. Genre: Drama / Musical
Director: Kirsten Sheridan Cast: Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams, William Sadler, Marian Seldes, Mykelti Williamson, Leon G. Thomas III, Aaron Staton, Alex O'Loughlin, Jamia Simone Nash, Ronald Guttman
Irish-born singer Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and concert cellist Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) meet and fall in love on a roof-top garden in Greenwich Village. Fate separates them, but their night of love has produced a son. After giving birth, Lyla is told that her infant has died, but the baby is put in an orphanage. Years later, that baby is now a street musician, August Rush (Freddie Highmore), who tries to connect people through music. Will he be able to use his talent to connect with Lyla and Louis and, in the process, form his longed-for family? An Academy Award nomination was received for Best Original Song ("Raise It Up")
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2005 PG, 115 min. Genre: Comedy / Fantasy
Director: Tim Burton Cast: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Missi Pyle, James Fox, Deep Roy, Christopher Lee, Adam Godley, Franziska Troegner, AnnaSophia Robb
Eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) has hidden in his candy bars five golden tickets, which will allow the owners a tour of Wonka's chocolate factory. Poor, but kind, Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) and four spoiled brats from around the world hold the golden tickets and embark on the unforgettable tour.
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Finding Neverland 2004 PG, 101 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Marc Forster Cast: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman, Freddie Highmore, Joe Prospero, Nick Roud, Luke Spill, Ian Hart, Kelly Macdonald, Mackenzie Crook
This story relates the process that playwright James Barrie (Johnny Depp) went through to develop his classic "Peter Pan." It involves meeting a widowed mother (Kate Winslet) and her four sons in the park and becoming attached to them–especially to Peter who is a troubled boy. As Barrie spends day after day with the family (to the dismay of his own wife (Radha Mitchell)), he begins to form the story of a boy who does not want to grow up, his friends in Neverland, and a pirate with a hook for his arm. The film received an Academy Award for Best Original Score and was nominated for six others, including Best Picture and Actor (Depp). 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | Anonymous 01/20/2007 | | All I've got to say is... WOW. What a great movie. It made me laugh and even cry. This was an amazing movie, filled with tender moments. Freddie Highmore (Peter) was so cute in this movie and Johnny Depp (perfecting his accents once again) was great, too. You would never know this movie was connected to Peter Pan, but when you remember this detail, you begin to realize the obvious connections between James Barrie's real life and his beloved children's story. So emotional... everyone must see this movie. |
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Five Children and It 2004 N/R, 89 min. Genre: Family / Fantasy
Director: John Stephenson Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Zoe Wanamaker, Freddie Highmore, Tara Fitzgerald, Jonathan Bailey, Jessica Claridge, Poppy Rogers, Alex Jennings, Eddie Izzard, John Sessions, Norman Wisdom
During World War I when their father leaves to fight in the war, five children remain in England and move into their uncle's estate where they discover "It," a magical fairy that makes their dreams come true.
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The Golden Compass 2007 PG-13, 114 min. Genre: Adventure / Drama / Fantasy / Thriller
Director: Chris Weitz Cast: Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Eva Green, Christopher Lee, Tom Courtenay, Derek Jacobi, Ben Walker, Freddie Highmore, Ian McKellen, Ian McShane, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kathy Bates, Jim Carter
Her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig) has made it possible for orphaned, young Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards) to be raised at Jordan University. As an explorer, Asriel is often away, and he returns this time from the Arctic Circle with evidence that "Dust," which has properties that could unite the universe, exists. Asriel goes back on another expedition, and the evil Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman) takes Lyra under her wing. But, when Lyra's best friend Roger (Ben Walker) is kidnapped, Lyra acquires a golden compass that, when in the right hands, will reveal truth. Now, Lyra sets off into the frozen north to rescue Roger and other children who have been kidnapped by child-stealing "Gobblers." And adventures ensue. The film received an Academy Award for Best Visueal Effects and received one additional nomination.
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A Good Year 2006 PG-13, 118 min. Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Abbie Cornish, Freddie Highmore, Tom Hollander, Didier Bourdon, Isabelle Candelier, Archie Panjabi, Rafe Spall, Richard Coyle, Kenneth Cranham, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
Based on Peter Mayle's "A Year in Provence," this is the tale of Englishman Max (Russell Crowe)–a ruthless, workaholic stock trader–who is notified that his nearly-forgotten Uncle Henry (Albert Finney) has died, leaving his Southern France vineyard estate to Max, his sole heir. Max had spent much time at the estate in his youth, and Uncle Henry was one of the few people that Max admired. His plan: sell quickly. But, upon reaching the estate, memories of his happy childhood at the estate give him second thoughts. Problems arise when he finds out that the estate is rundown, the wine is virtually undrinkable, and Christie (Abbie Cornish) arrives on the scene claiming to be Uncle Henry's illegitimate daughter.
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The Spiderwick Chronicles 2008 PG, 97 min. Genre: Family / Adventure / Drama / Fantasy
Director: Mark Waters Cast: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Sarah Bolger, Andrew McCarthy, Joan Plowright, David Strathairn, Seth Rogen, Martin Short, Jordy Benattar, Tod Fennell, Mariah Inger, Tyler Patrick Jones
After ending her marriage, Helen (Mary-Louise Parker) moves with her children–nine-year-old twins Jared and Simon (both played by Freddie Highmore) and their 13-year-old sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger)–into a creepy country home inherited from her Aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright) who is now in a mental institution. Jared misses his father and has a hot temper. So, when strange things begin to happen, Jared is suspected. But, Jared joins with his siblings in trying to figure out what is going on, and Jared discovers a dusty book with a note containing instructions to not open it. Of course, Jared opens the book and reads about magical creatures living in the woods near the house. Soon after, the children meet a hobgoblin Hogsqueal (voice of Seth Rogen) and a brownie Thimbletack (voice of Martin Short). Now they learn about an ogre Mulgarath (voice of Nick Nolte) who covets the book because it will give him the secrets necessary to rule the world. Will the children be able to protect themselves, and the world, from the army of goblins gathering on their lawn?
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Two Brothers 2004 PG, 109 min. Genre: Family / Adventure / Drama
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud Cast: Guy Pearce, Jean-Claude Dreyfus, Freddie Highmore, Oanh Nguyen, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Moussa Maaskri, Vincent Scarito, Mai Anh Le, Jaran "See Tao" Petcharoen, Stephanie Lagarde, Bernard Flavien, Annop Varapanya, David Gant, Somjin Chimwong, Teerawat Mulvilai
Two tigers–captured and separated by Aidan McRory (Guy Pearce) while still cubs–are raised in very different worlds. Aidan raises one cub and names it Kumal, but the tiger is later sold to a circus. Raul (Freddie Highmore) captures Kumal's brother, names him Sangha, and raises him as a pet–until Sangha proves to be too much for Raul, and he gives Sangha to the prince (Oanh Nguyen) who trains it to fight. Later, the tigers are reunited in an arena where it is expected they will fight to the death. But, they recognize each other, and tables are turned when they plan their escape.
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| 1. Arthur and the Invisibles (2006)
2. Astro Boy (2009)
3. August Rush (2007)
4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
5. Finding Neverland (2004)
6. Five Children and It (2004)
7. The Golden Compass (2007)
8. A Good Year (2006)
9. The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
10. Two Brothers (2004)
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