Lasse Hallstrom

If you're lucky enough to have a dog in your life, you'll know that you don't really own them, they are part of your family and are as unique as any other being under your roof.

A Dog's Purpose is a tale that explains just what our furry friends are here for and how they make a great impact on the lives of the people who love them. Ethan's best friend was his dog Bailey, the Golden Retriever; the pair did everything together, Bailey would loyally wait for Ethan to return from school so the pair could go out and play. Ethan and Bailey went everywhere together and Bailey even played a part in finding Ethan his first girlfriend Hannah.

As Bailey grew older he eventually lost his life but that was far from the end of his story. Bailey was still on earth but reincarnated in the body of a German Shepard, the pup had a lot of new things to learn as this life was going to be far tougher than his previous life on the farm. Bailey was now called Ellie and not only is he now a she, Ellie is a police dog and works with search and rescue. Ellie is very close to her new handlers and believes that this role is the reason why she's been put on earth.

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Talking about upcoming restaurent drama 'The Hundred Foot Journey', producers Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, director Lasse Hallstrom and star Helen Mirren reveal their thoughts in a short featurette.

'This really is a story about the fusion between two opposite cultures', says Steven, with Oprah explaining of the film's plot: 'The icy Madame Mallory, the owner of the very proper Michelin-starred French restaurent, doesn't allow for any kind of competition whatsoever.' Helen reveals that within the clashing of two food cultures 'it's a feud that becomes a war - and no holds barred actually'.

click to read The Hundred Foot Journey movie reveiw

The Hundred Foot Journey is a drama directed by Lasse Hallström (Dear John/Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) and written by Steven Knight.

Based on the novel of the same name by Richard C. Morals, The Hundred-Foot Journey sees an Indian family start a new life in France, where they intend to open a family business in the form of a restaurant, however the top restaurant in the south of France is opposite the restaurant the family buy, owned by the fiercely competitive Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren). This gives the family little chance of being successful, yet they persist with it exposing the French to food they won't have tasted before. When Mallory becomes aware of this, she bitterly attempts to slow down business for their restaurant, i.e. by making snide remarks about the restaurant to her customers. Over time though, the two restaurants become friends, with Mallory even offering Hassan (Manish Dayal) of the Indian family, a job at her restaurant. But how will his father (Om Puri) feel about this?  

The film came about when producer Oprah Winfrey became a fan of the script, and encouraged Steven Spielberg to make an adaptation of the novel, who she knew from working with on The Color Purple. Spielberg searched for a director he thought would be good for the role and so he found Hallström, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his adaptation of The Cider House Rules, by John Irving.

When Katie Feldman flees from her city and winds up in the picturesque town of Southport in North Carolina, she is initially welcomed by the close-knit community. As much as she tries to avoid it, being more fond of her own company than others, she forms bonds with her frank but friendly neighbour Jo and the quiet, widowed shop owner Alex. Alex is immediately taken to Katie and attempts to win the guarded newcomer over by fixing her a bike so she doesn't have to walk to work; however, she is reluctant to put her trust in anybody and does what she can to avoid falling in love with him. It isn't long before she finds herself giving in and following her heart, but then almost as soon as begins to believe she's safe again, her past follows her and she is faced with answering a lot of complicated questions about why she wound up in Southport. 

'Safe Haven' is an adaptation from the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks ('The Notebook', 'Dear John'). It is directed by Academy Award nominee Lasse Hallstrom ('The Cider House Rules', 'Chocolat'), written by Leslie Bohem ('A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child') and Dana Stevens ('City of Angels') and from the producers of 'Twilight' and it is scheduled for release in the UK on March 1st 2013.

Director: Lasse Hallström

Continue: Safe Haven Trailer

Dr. Fred Jones is a middle-aged scientist working for the National Centre for Fisheries Excellence in London. One day, he gets a call from a Harriet Chetwode-Talbot, who works for a sheik. The sheik has had an idea to introduce the British sport of salmon fishing to the Yemen, in the Middle East. However, Fred flatly refuses when meeting with Harriet in London, saying the idea is ridiculous and pointing out that the fish could not survive in the very different environment. He leaves the meeting and the matter is soon forgotten about.

Sometime later, British politicians receive word that a bomb exploded in the Middle East. Politician Bridget Maxwell is reluctant to release the news story, saying that she does not want to make the war on Afghanistan any worse. Instead, she instructs her colleagues to find a positive news story from the Middle East to release. After several failed attempts, they discover plans to introduce salmon fishing in the Yemen.

With pressure from the government, Fred has no choice but to go ahead with the idea and so he travels to the Yemen to meet the sheik and Harriet. During his time there, he discovers to his surprise that the sport is a great success. He also finds himself falling for Harriet. While Fred has always had a dull life, he soon finds himself becoming happier and more relaxed the longer he stays in the Yemen and with Harriet.

Based on the novel of the same name by Paul Torday

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas, Amr Waked, Rachael Stirling and Tom Mison

Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom
Written by: Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)
Produced by: Paul Webster

John Tyree is a member of the US Army. Whilst on leave he meets a young woman called Savannah Lynn Curtis, the two fall in love almost instantly. The two spend all their time together before Jon is called back to the Army for a tour of service. The couple remain an item despite the lack of contact, both find themselves becoming dependent on their letters to one and other. 7 years down the line as their situations change Savannah finds herself engaged to another man. Now utterly depressed by the news John rushes into a dangerous situation and gets seriously injured. Eventually John is made to leave the army, he must get his real life back on track. How their separation will affect his life is a true testament to his will.

Continue: Dear John Trailer