Dec 15, 2006 By Lou Gaul Calkins Media Film Critic 4 min read

A children’s tale (“Charlotte’s Web”), a swashbuckling fantasy (“Eragon”) and an uplifting melodrama (“The Pursuit of Happyness”) are the major titles landing in theaters for this Hanukkah weekend. The new films (with all dates subject to change) opening at a theater near you include:

– “Charlotte’s Web,” with Dakota Fanning (“War of the Worlds”) in a beautifully made live-action version of the children’s favorite written by E.B. White with illustrations by Garth Williams. Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates, Reba McEntire, Robert Redford, and Andre Benjamin provide voices for the barnyard creatures (both real and computer generated) in this G-rated story about the optimistic Wilbur, a pig who’s the runt of the litter, and his relationship with a wise spider who spins magnificent webs and teaches the young animal that miracles can happen.

– “Eragon,” with Jeremy Irons (“Kingdom of Heaven”), Robert Carlyle (“The Full Monty”), Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond”), John Malkovich (“The Libertine”) and 18-year-old newcomer Ed Speleers in a sword-and-sorcery epic about a teenager and a fire-breathing dragon (voice by Rachel Weisz of “The Constant Gardener”) who join forces to overthrow a brutal ruler. The fantasy film is based on the 2003 teen novel by Montana native Christopher Paolini, and “Eragon” is the first book in the 22-year-old author’s “Inheritance Trilogy.” “Eragon” has sold more than 2.5 million copies in North America and has been published in 38 countries. The flying-dragon special effects were created by Peter Jackson’s WETA Digital (the New Zealand company responsible the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy) and George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic (whose credits include the “Star Wars” series).

? “The Pursuit of Happyness,” with Will Smith (“Bad Boys 2”) and Thandie Newton (“Mission: Impossible II”) in a fact-based story about an out-of-work salesman who lives on the street with his 5-year-old son, manages to hide his financial problems and lands an internship at a prestigious stock-brokerage firm. The child in the feel-good film is played by Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, the 8-year-old son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.

? “Tideland,” with Jeff Bridges (“The Big Lebowski”), Jennifer Tilly (“Bullets Over Broadway”) and Jodelle Ferland (“Silent Hill”) in a bleak fantasy about a little girl who creates an imaginary world after her drug-addict parents overdose and she’s stranded in a remote house. Terry Gilliam (“Brazil”) directed the R-rated picture, based on the novel by Mitch Cullin.

At the buck$ office

Blood and guts beat hearts and flowers at the box office last weekend as Mel Gibson’s grisly “Apocalypto” topped Nancy Meyers’ “The Holiday” for the top spot at the box office.

Gibson, who has maintained a fairly low profile since his recent anti-Semitic outburst while intoxicated, fooled many industry insiders who predicted the public would stay away from his film. Enough people turned out to earn the R-rated picture more than $14 million.

“Apocalypto” was closely followed by “The Holiday,” a romantic comedy that grossed more than $13 million.

Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t attract many fans to his high-profile action drama “Blood Diamond.” The expensive R-rated picture about conflict diamonds debuted with just $8.5 million.

According to the Associated Press, the top-10 movies last weekend were:

1. “Apocalypto” ($14.2 million)

2. “The Holiday” ($13.5 million)

3. “Happy Feet” ($12.7 million)

4. “Casino Royale” ($8.8 million)

5. “Blood Diamond” ($8.5 million)

6. “Unaccompanied Minors” ($6.2 million)

7. “Deja Vu” ($6.1 million)

8. “The Nativity Story” ($5.6 million)

9. “Deck the Halls” ($3.9 million)

10. “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” ($3.3 million)

Gaul on the radio

My “At the Movies” radio segment will air live at 11:30 p.m. on Friday as part of “The Dom Giordano Show” (WPHT-AM/1210 and www.thebigtalker1210.com).

The broadcast, which can be heard every Friday night, will include discussions of newly released movies and DVDs, as well as motion picture news and trends.