Katherine Paterson Movies
From the producers of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and the mind of author Katherine Paterson comes a rousing fantasy adventure about family, friendship, and the wondrous power of imagination. A perpetual outsider both at home and at school, Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) just never seems to fit in no matter how hard he tries. When his goal to become the fastest runner in middle school is unexpectedly thwarted by newly arrived classmate Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb), who enters in an "all boys" race and leaves her competitors in the dust, Jess soon strikes up a friendship with the imaginative outsider. Their bond is soon cemented thanks to Leslie's love for storytelling and Jess' skill as an artist, and the two lonely kids create a secret kingdom called Terabithia that is only accessible by swinging over a stream on a nearby rope. Though Jess and Leslie may be considered outcasts by their classmates, their adventures in Terabithia find the pair doing battle against the dreaded Dark Master and his malevolent creatures while plotting revenge against the schoolyard bullies. Now, thanks to his adventures in Terabithia and his friendship with Leslie, Jess finally finds the confidence needed to stand tall and be himself. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, (more)
Based on "Poor Little Innocent Lamb," a short story by Katherine Patterson, Miss Lettie and Me stars Mary Tyler Moore as Lettie Anderson, an embittered oldster who has been forced throughout her life to sacrifice any chance for lasting happiness. Living on a remote farm with only her handyman Isaiah Griffin (Charles Robinson) as company, Lettie has effectively shut herself off from the rest of the world--and, having done so, is hardly pleased when her 9-year-old grandniece Travis (Holliston Coleman) comes to live on the farm for the summer. Hoping to melt her great-aunt's frozen heart, Travis succeeds beyond her wildest dreams, even bringing Lettie together again with her "lost love" Samuel Madison (Burt Reynolds, an ex-ballplayer turned drug store owner). A "Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation" produced for the TNT cable network, Miss Lettie and Me debuted on December 8, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
The timeless Japanese folktale contrasting greed and cruelty against kindness and love comes to life in this tale of a covetous lord who separates a pair of mandarin ducks in order to have one's brilliant plumage all to himself, only to find a nature-loving couple risk their lives to bring the creatures back together. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Jess is determined to be the fastest kid in his fifth-grade class, and to that end, he's been diligently practicing the entire summer. His plans are upset, however, when Leslie, his new next-door neighbor, turns out to be faster than he is. Initially upset at this turn of events, Jess soon comes to value Leslie as a friend, and the two create an imaginary secret kingdom called Terabithia, and install themselves as king and queen. Terabithia, which can only be reached by swinging on a rope across a creek bed, is a haven for the two friends, a place where they can be safe from the problems that confront them in the real world, and where they can let their imaginations run wild. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes one morning as Leslie attempts to travel to Terabithia alone, and then Jess is forced to come to terms with the results of that tragedy. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
