We all love a good book. We all love a good film. But we all hate a bad adaptation. This year, major releases such as Brighton Rock and The Rum Diary (not to mention the final episode of the Harry Potter series), are due to attract big numbers in the box office. But with a plethora of books flying from the shelf to our cinema screens, what makes a good adaptation?

Director Arthur Penn, the man behind Bonnie and Clyde, has died in New York, hours after reaching his 88th birthday. It is the latest news in what has already been a sad week for film, which has also seen the death of Quentin Tarantino’s long-time editor, Sally Menke.

Keanu Reeves has dropped hints about the possibility of a second sequel to Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. This would be most triumphant.

Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola is to receive a sixth Oscar for his extraordinary contribution to cinema.

In Tetro, we are given a fascinating and absorbing insight into a family plagued by regret, paralysed by rivalry and past betrayal. Unfortunately, though using highly personal material makes Coppola’s film shine, it also holds it back from real achievement.