So this is Christmas, writes our Movie Blogger Carl Jones, and what have they done…????? They’ve tried to recreate the Lord of the Rings magic with dragons, warriors and epic journeys. And failed.

Eragon is intended as the first instalment of a trilogy based on the novels by Christopher Paolini, but this old-fashioned sword and sorcery epic splutters and fizzles disappointingly.

Cheap and cheerful in comparison with the Rings, it lacks the grandeur, spectacle and intense emotion of Peter Jackson’s journey through Middle Earth. The initial five minutes don’t bode well, introducing John Malkovich’s pantomime villain with the camp opening: “I suffer without my stone. Do not prolong my suffering!”

And so it continues. The screenplay is littered with unintentionally hilarious dialogue, and while Edward Speleers has the classic pretty boy looks to crown him teenage poster boy of the week, his acting isn’t wholly convincing.

Malkovich and Robert Carlyle trade sneers, while Sienna Guillory squeezes herself into a series of figure hugging bodices which draw attention away from her expressionless face.

Action sequences are competently directed and the computer effects are seamlessly integrated with the live action, but considering the film cost 100 million dollars to make, the whole adventure is distinctly underwhelming.

Oh yes, the plot. Many years ago, the Dragon Riders reigned supreme over the kingdom of Alagaesia, taking took to the skies on their huge beasts, ensuring peace for everyone in the realm . . . until warrior Galbatorix seized power, plunging the land into darkness.

Rebel forces fled to the mountains to escape, but the people of the land succumbed to the new king’s might, dreaming of a day when dragons would return.

Their prayers look to have been answered when young farm boy Eragon (Speleers) chances upon a dragon egg in the forest. It hatches forges an unbreakable bond with the boy as they embark on a perilous quest to restore harmony.

Best film of the week is Deja Vu, Tony Scott’s power-packed nonsense about a plot to avert a tragedy which has already happened.

A bomb detonates on a ferry packed with sailors and their families, and agent Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) is assigned to investigate. 

Haunted by the face of a dead woman, he invests his every waking minute in tracking down the killer, hooking up with FBI agent Andrew Pryzwarra (Val Kilmer), who heads up a team of scientists with the technical capability to construct a “bridge” to events which took place four days and six hours ago.

When Doug makes the shocking discovery that the scientists can actually send objects – and possibly a human being – back into this vision of the past, he resolves to save Paula and prevent the explosion. But how do you avert a tragedy which has already happened?

Deja Vu throws common sense out of the window to play to its strengths – a charismatic cast and some powerful set pieces.

Although reality creeps into the film every now and then, like the spooky aerial shots of a New Orleans community decimated by Hurricane Katrina, the time-travelling plot is complete nonsense. Sort of fun, though.

And so to films of the year. I’ve had a bulging postbag this week (well, three emails actually) with suggestions for the best and worst of 2006. Two of you have elected The Da Vinci Code as turkey of the past 12 months. You must have read the book first, then!

B Any more ideas? Email me at cjones@shropshirestar.co.uk