ome major movie news out of Nova Scotia this fall has direct ties to the West Coast and the third installment of the X-Men franchise. Ellen Page, an 18-year-old actor from Halifax, has landed the much-talked about role of Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat.     "It all happened very, very quickly," she said. "It's not something I ever thought I'd be doing, so I really don't know what to think about doing such a large, massive thing like this." Although contractually forbidden to talk about the plot or reveal specific details regarding her character's involvement, Page said, "I can tell you she will be more involved... and she is joining the X-Men. They're nuts with the script. You have to sign confidentiality clauses and everything."   Ed Burns (Saving Private Ryan) made a quick, one-night stop in Halifax in early September to promote his new film, the supernatural thriller The River King during the 25th Atlantic Film Festival. It was filmed earlier this year in Nova Scotia. He described fall in Nova Scotia as "fantastic" and said it was considerably different to the cold and snow he experienced during filming last year. - Vernon Oickle

hether it's Robin Williams trying out new comedy routines or Matt LeBlanc checking out exotic dancers, stars are noshing and partying all over B.C. Burt Reynolds and Leelee Sobieski, in Vancouver making the action/fantasy flick Dungeon Siege, showed up at a west side beach jazz club to listen to Michael Moriarty (Along Came a Spider, Law and Order) tickle the ivories.   Winnipeg born Oscar-winner Anna Paquin was spotted at the Blue Water Caf� recently on a break from her role of Rogue in X-Men 3, which is filming locally at Victoria's stately Hatley Castle. The castle, which is part of Royal Roads University, represents Xavier's School for the Gifted in the sequel.   Nicolas Cage is in town shooting The Wicker Man, a remake of the 1973 classic about a clash between a religious cop and locals with pagan beliefs on a remote island in the Hebrides off the coast of Scotland that starred Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland. The remake, directed and co-written by Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men) also stars Ellen Burstyn and Molly Parker (Men With Brooms). - Valerie Gregory