The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Action, Adventure, Drama |.
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a American fantasy adventure film based on the book series of the same name by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. It was directed by Mark Waters and stars Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker, Martin Short, Nick Nolte, and Seth Rogen. The film, set in the Spiderwick Estate in New England, follows three children who discover a field guide to fairies while encountering various magical creatures such as goblins, ogres, brownies, boggarts, hobgoblins, trolls and many others.
Produced by Nickelodeon Movies and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it was released on February 14, 2008, earning $162.8 million against its $90 million budget. The Spiderwick Chronicles received generally positive reviews from critics, with Highmore’s dual performance being singled out for praise. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 24, 2008, in the United States.
In 1928, Arthur Spiderwick writes a Field guide about the many Faeries he has encountered. After finishing the Book, he hides it away for fear of Mulgarath, a shapeshifting ogre who plans to use the Book’s secrets for evil.
Eighty years later, recently divorced Helen Grace inherits and moves into the abandoned Spiderwick estate with her children, daughter Mallory and twin sons Jared and Simon. Jared is angry about the move and would rather live with his father. After uncovering a hidden dumbwaiter, Jared discovers Arthur’s study where he finds the Field Guide. When Jared explains his discovery of the Book and the existence of magical creatures, his family doesn’t believe him.
In the morning, Jared meets a fairy named Thimbletack and attempts to feed him crackers and honey. Thimbletack, a type of fairy called a brownie, is initially angry with Jared for having opened the book that Thimbletack was supposed to be protecting from the Mulgarath.
Director: Mark Waters
Writers: Karey Kirkpatrick (screenplay), David Berenbaum (screenplay), John Sayles (screenplay), Tony DiTerlizzi (books), Holly Black (books)
Stars: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker, Martin Short, Nick Nolte, Seth Rogen, David Strathairn
►Cast:
| Freddie Highmore | … | Jared Grace / Simon Grace |
| Mary-Louise Parker | … | Helen Grace |
| Nick Nolte | … | Mulgarath |
| Sarah Bolger | … | Mallory Grace |
| Andrew McCarthy | … | Richard Grace |
| Joan Plowright | … | Aunt Lucinda Spiderwick |
| David Strathairn | … | Arthur Spiderwick |
| Seth Rogen | … | Hogsqueal (voice) |
| Martin Short | … | Thimbletack (voice) |
| Jordy Benattar | … | Young Lucinda Spiderwick |
| Tod Fennell | … | Helen’s Co-Worker |
| Mariah Inger | … | Nurse |
| Jeremy Lavalley | … | Tow Truck Driver |
| Lise Durocher-Viens | … | Mrs. Spiderwick |
| Tyler Patrick Jones | … | Additional Performer |
| Kyle Switzer | … | Additional Performer |
| Stefanie Broos | … | Elf |
| Ron Perlman | … | Red Cap (voice) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia