first part of a twin bill i watch feature ian mckellen ( x men and lord of the ring ) . he play a fire and brimstone country preacher that remind me of the 17th century puritan minister cotton mather . the movie star eileen atkins ( cold mountain ) and kate beckinsale ( underworld ) . beckansale play a girl in 1930s england who go to the rural farm property after the death of her father . in a period comedy she proceed to change the life of her extended family in a way that give each of them what they want and free them from their bondage to the seemingly crazy matriarch ( sheila burrell ) . it be a very cute piece and to see ian mckellen preach his sermon be an experience not to be forget .