Entertainment and arts review of 2008

This year saw strikes, awards ceremonies and a host of eagerly anticipated movies.

Here's a look at the other film highlights of 2008.

JANUARY

Friends and family attend Ledger's funeral

The year began with the continuation of the Hollywood writers' strike which hit a number of high-profile film projects.

A number of award ceremonies were affected, including the Golden Globes, which turned into a press conference.

The film world also mourned the death of Brokeback Mountain star Heath Ledger who died from an accidental overdose in in his New York apartment, aged 28.

Many stars paid tribute, including fellow Australian Nicole Kidman, who called his death "a terrible tragedy".

Stars join writer's strike Ledger found dead in US

Globes ceremony scrapped Stars pay tribute to Ledger

FEBRUARY

A look at the winners and fashions of the 2008 Oscars

The film awards season ended in February with the Baftas and the Academy Awards ceremonies.

No Country for Old Men picked up four Oscars including the best picture and director gongs, while Atonement was Bafta's top film.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Marion Cotillard took the acting honours in both ceremonies, with Tilda Swinton bagging the best supporting actress trophy.

Meanwhile, US writers voted to end their strike and return to work.

The Oscars 2008 Hollywood writers end strike

Baftas 2008

MARCH

Patrick Swayze has carried on with his filming schedule

March saw the death of Oscar-winning British director Anthony Minghella, who died aged 54 after having surgery for cancer of the tonsils and neck.

Actor Jude Law described him as "a sweet, warm, bright and funny man".

Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and denied claims he had "months to live". He went on to film a US TV drama.

And the long-awaited 32nd Carry On film got one step closer to being filmed after a final script was signed off.

Obituary: Anthony Minghella Carry On script is green lit

Patrick Swayze has cancer

APRIL

Wesley Snipes received a three-year prison sentence

In April a stunt driver crashed an Aston Martin DBS into Italy's Lake Garda while filming James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.

Rocky, a grizzly bear which featured in this year's Will Ferrell comedy Semi-Pro, killed its handler in California.

Actor Wesley Snipes received a three-year prison sentence for tax offences. He was granted bail while he appeals against his conviction.

And Ben Hur star Charlton Heston died at his home in Beverly Hills, aged 84.

Bond car in Lake Garda Snipes jailed for three years

Hollywood bear kills handler Obituary: Charlton Heston

MAY

Jack Black shows off his moves at Cannes

Sex and the City fans were rewarded to a big screen version of the TV series in May - after a four-year wait.

Out of Africa director Sydney Pollack died of cancer aged 73 after being diagnosed 10 months earlier.

The Cannes Film Festival saw the world premiere of Indiana Jones 4 and Jack Black confirming that Angelina Jolie was expecting twins - by mistake.

Actress Sharon Stone also caused a storm after claiming China's earthquake could have been the result of bad "karma".

Sex and the City premiere Anger over quake remarks

Obituary: Sydney Pollack Cannes 2008

JUNE

Depp took home two acting awards

June saw Johnny Depp take home two prizes at the MTV Movie Awards, where Transformers won best film.

Hollywood actors tried to resolve their dispute with studios over new contracts before 1 July. Although there was no strike, an agreement is still pending.

The Wizard of Oz and The Godfather shared top billing in the American Film Institute's best films list.

Meanwhile, Four Weddings and a Funeral was named best British movie in an internet poll.

In Pictures: MTV Movie Awards Oz and Godfather top film lists

Q&A: Actor's dispute Four Weddings tops poll

JULY

Clips from The Dark Knight

Batman film The Dark Knight was released in July to rave reviews.

It broke US box office records - including best opening night and weekend and the fastest movie to gross $400m (£260m). It took just 18 days.

But the UK premiere was marred after Christian Bale faced assault allegations from his mother and sister.

Elsewhere, Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon, while Nicole Kidman gave birth to her first child, Sunday Rose.

The Dark Knight reviews Angelina Jolie gives birth

Bale bailed over 'assault' Kidman has baby girl

AUGUST

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was pushed back by eight months

Mickey Rourke made a comeback at the Venice Film Festival in August with The Wrestler, which won the coveted Golden Lion for best picture.

Actor and comedian Bernie Mac died in Chicago aged 50 after complications arising from pneumonia.

And the release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was pushed back from November to July 2009.

Warner Bros said the move was to guarantee a major summer blockbuster, while also blaming the writers' strike.

Wrestler scoops Golden Lion Potter film delayed

Bernie Mac dies aged 50

SEPTEMBER

Don LaFontaine spoke to the BBC in 2007

September saw another Harry Potter story - this time with Warner Bros losing a court case against the makers of a Bollywood film called Hari Puttar.

Despite Warner Bros claiming the title was too similar, an Indian court ruled the film could be released that month.

Actor Ryan O'Neal and his son, Redmond, were arrested and later charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Meanwhile, screen legend Paul Newman and Don LaFontaine, who voiced more than 5,000 movie trailers, died.

Warner loses Hari Puttar case Film voice-over king dies

O'Neal's face drugs charges Paul Newman: Tributes

OCTOBER

Daniel Craig talks Quantum of Solace

Frost/Nixon, inspired by Sir David Frost's 1977 interviews with disgraced US president Richard Nixon, kicked off the London Film Festival in October.

High School Musical fans saw the students of East High graduate in the third instalment of the franchise.

The 22nd Bond film Quantum of Solace was released, breaking UK opening day and weekend box office records.

And trade newspaper Variety said Matt Damon would be back as CIA assassin Jason Bourne for a fourth time.

Frost attends London film gala Royals attend Bond premiere

In Pictures: HSM3 premiere Damon 'to do fourth Bourne'

NOVEMBER

JJ Abrams' Star Trek will be released in may 2009

In November, Lost creator JJ Abrams unveiled footage from his eagerly anticipated Star Trek prequel.

Angelina Jolie made a tearful tribute to her late mother at a press conference for her film Changeling.

Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix also announced he was quitting his acting career to focus on music.

Elsewhere, musical film Mamma Mia! became the fastest-selling DVD in the UK after selling 1.67m copies in its first day on sale.

First Trek footage unveiled Joaquin Phoenix quits films

Jolie in tearful tribute Musical 'fastest-selling DVD'

DECEMBER

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman attend the London premiere of Australia

December saw Mamma Mia! break another record, this time becoming the highest grossing film in the UK, taking more than £69m and beating 1997's Titanic.

The estranged brother-in-law of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was charged with killing her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew.

Baz Luhrmann's epic film Australia was released on Boxing Day after four years in the making.

And Scarlett Johansson sold a used tissue on eBay for $5,300 (£3,600).

Musical breaks cinema record Australia in London premiere

Man charged over killings Used tissue raises $5,300