A Scanner Darkly

Richard Linklater's interpretation of Philip K Dick's tale of a surveillance-crazy future sees his unique style of animation creating a distinct visual style. Technically described as 'interpolated rotoscoping', the process basically paints over live footage to create animated action, and the end result is terrific. However, what is impressive about the visuals is let down by a confusing, scrambled storyline, as is often the case when trying to fit in a whole novel to a short space on film. However, protagonist Keanu Reeves struggle to infiltrate a drugs ring obsessed by the notorious 'Substance D' is still an entertaining watch, especially helped by an impressive cameo from Robert Downey Jr.

RATING: 6/10 - Confusing and entertaining in equal measure

Garden State

Pretty much everyone will associate Zach Braff with his role as JD in hit TV series Scrubs, but few realize that the comedy actor is actually a very talented director, as his debut Garden State proves. As well as directing, Braff also plays title role Andrew Largeman. After 10 years of estrangement, Largeman returns to his family for the funeral of his mother. However, a dull state of depression is his only mode, until he meets Sam (Natalie Portman) who is everything he's not - quirky, colorful, and optimistic. Given the eccentricity of his Scrubs role, it is surprising to see a movie so delicately and interestingly shot, and is definitely a sign of potential. Slightly monotonous at times, but overall, this is a very good debut.

RATING: 7/10 - A positive display of versatility from Zach Braff

Lady Vengeance

The third and final installment of Park chan-Wook's Vengeance Trilogy differs from the others in that it comes from the perspective of a woman, Geum-Ja. Geum-Ja has spent 13 years in prison for the kidnap and murder of a six-year old boy, and upon release, she seeks to exact revenge on the person responsible for her imprisonment, English teacher Mr Baek. The first half plays out as a dark comedy, as Geum-Ja remembers her experiences from prison. However, the second half is far darker still, deeply exploring themes such as revenge and punishment. Perhaps not as good as the others in the trilogy, but still a great piece of work.

RATING: 8/10 - Final installment of a brilliant trilogy

Oldboy

Oldboy is the second, and easily the most famous, of Park chan-Wook's vengeance trilogy. Oh-Daesu is drunk and missing his daughter's birthday when suddenly, with no explanation offered, he is kidnapped, and taken to a small hotel-style room. Suicide is impossible, human contact is fully withdrawn, and his only source of information is a small TV, where he learns he has been framed for the murder of his wife. One day, after fifteen years, he is released, again without reason, and told that he has 5 days to seek out his captor and exact a worthy vengeance. Stylishly shot, artistically directed, and brutally executed, Oldboy has all the elements of a brilliant thriller, and then more.

RATING: 9/10 - Must-see Korean vengeance thriller

Sympathy For Mr Vengeance

This is the first installment of Park chan-Wook's Vengeance trilogy, followed by the equally brilliant Oldboy and Lady Vengeance. Ryu, a deaf mute, and his anarchic girlfriend Cha Young-mi, concoct a scheme to help save Ryu's sister, who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. However, when tragedy strikes, the road ahead brings pain, anguish, and most of all, vengeance. This is very violent; and whilst some would criticize Asian cinema for it's occasional excessive violence, Park utilizes every trick at his disposal to keep the violence entirely necessary to the plot, but equally brutal at the same time. The incredible characterization in addition to the social realist feel of the film means that the film strikes on many emotional levels, a truly great cinematic experience for fans of foreign cinema.

RATING: 9/10 - Arguably the best of the trilogy, an outstanding film

Moon

Moon is the exciting debut from the son of David Bowie, Duncan Jones. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is coming to the end of a three-year stint at a single-man mining outpost on the moon. With only the station computer GERTY (Kevin Spacey) for company, Sam finds himself eagerly anticipating his return to Earth to re-unite with his loved ones, when something very unexpected happens. Moon is not without it's problems; the one-man aspect means that it becomes dull to watch in places, but on the whole, Rockwell is captivating, and the direction from Bell is superb, as is the basic premise. Fully deserved of a BAFTA, Moon is surely a sign of a bright future for Duncan Jones.

RATING: 7/10 - One of the best sci-fi films of recent years, made with a shoestring budget

Battle Royale

The Japanese have slowly gained a sizable fan base for their recent trend of ultra-violent thrillers, and Battle Royale is partly to thank for that. The premise is simple. In response to unruly youth behaviour, the Japanese government pass the 'Battle Royale Act', in which a random class of children are transported to a remote island, given a weapon each and enough supplies to last them 3 days, and told that only one person will be allowed to rejoin society; they must kill each other until there is only one left. At times brutal and brilliant, but Kinji Fukasaku lets himself down with some weak characterisation, which leaves the whole thing feeling a bit soulless, the violence used as fun for the director rather than with any real purpose.

RATING: 6/10 - An enjoyable schoolchildren gore-fest that's not for the squeamish

The Wave

This interesting German film from director Dennis Gansel was first introduced to a wider audience at the 2008 Sundance film festival, and has deservedly begun to slowly gain the acclaim it deserves. Based on a 1960s Californian psychological experiment, The Wave is a brilliant examination of a dictatorship. Rainer Wenger, a teacher unappreciated by his peers but admired by his students, finds himself in charge of an Autocracy class during project week. Using unconventional techniques as always, Rainer sets up a class community with himself as the head, disciplining students more severely, and introducing a uniformed dress code. They call themselves 'The Wave', and the group gains unstoppable momentum. Filmed simply but enjoyably, this film is, if nothing else, an interesting study of the nature in which people can become sucked into a dictatorship, as per Nazi Germany.

RATING: 7/10 - A very interesting psychological drama, which plays out sometimes as an entertaining classroom drama, and at others a dark political study

The Last Airbender

With his latest film, The Last Airbender, director M Night Shyamalan has disappointed once again, and reaffirms the fact that he's not made a decent film since The Sixth Sense. It lets down not only those who were excited for an original film, but also the fans of the Nickelodeon anime series, which was much better than this. The plot in itself is definitely workable, following Aang, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, who must put his childhood ways aside and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air kingdoms. It's not the best plot, but it should still make for a decent children's blockbuster. However through it's poor casting, an incomprehensible plot, and disappointing camerawork and technology, this is definitely not one to waste your money on.

RATING: 2/10 - Let's hope this really is the last airbender.

The Big Lebowski

The Coen brother's offbeat comedy about Jeff Bridges' laid back hero Jeffrey 'The Dude' Lebowski is truly unique, but also excellent. The Dude just wants to enjoy life, but when two thugs come to his house looking for someone of the same name, things start to get ugly, and The Dude drags down bowling buddies Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and Donny Kerabatsos (Steve Buscemi) as they become caught in the crossfire between the titular Big Lebowski and the criminals intending to harm him. The characters, as ever in a Coen brothers movie, are exquisitely presented, which keeps a confusing plot enjoyable at all times. Proving once more their auteur status, the Coen brothers have one of their finest creations in The Big Lebowski.

RATING: 8/10 - One of the best alternative comedies around

[Rec]

This Spanish horror is the unfortunate subject of a disappointing US remake, Quarantine, but don't let that put you off enjoying it all the same. The crew of a TV show accompany a group of Barcelona firemen on a routine call to an apartment block, only to find a rabid virus has broken out, and all the exits are sealed off. The results are filmed in brilliant faux-documentary style, drawing inspiration from the likes of The Blair Witch Project. Writers/directors Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza have done a terrific job here, the end result being intense, believable, and very scary.

RATING: 7/10 - A great modern horror, proving that it doesn't have to be Hollywood to be scary

Toy Story 3

15 years after the original Toy Story, we finally have (what they tell us is) the last installment in the brilliant series. Andy, now grown up and about to depart for college, doesn't give the toys the attention they so desperately crave, and when they accidentally get taken to a daycare center, it seems that Woody and co have found the perfect home. Friendly toys, and an endless supply of kids wanting toys to play with. The end of the series is mature and brilliantly done, and although some of the subtleties may be lost on the intended audience, there is plenty to keep them fully entertained throughout. My only criticism is that they give us too many new characters to love, but better too many than not enough.

RATING: 8/10 - A wonderful end to the series, touching and funny, very enjoyable

Shane

This brilliant Western epitomizes everything that was great about the Golden Era of filmmaking in Hollywood. Alan Ladd gives a performance of a lifetime as Shane, the honest hero who settles down to help a family to keep their house from the clutches of the overbearing Ryker brothers, and their sharpshooting companion Wilson (Jack Palance). The characters are unambiguous, but the relationships between them are beautifully portrayed by director George Stevens, as is the terrific scenery and iconography of a Western. Not the best Western ever, but not too far off.

RATING: 8/10 - A classic Hollywood Western

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Vince Vaughn plays Peter laFleur in this enjoyable sports film meets comedy. Peter is the owner of a small gym facing extinction after pressure from a huge rival, Globo-Gym, which is run by White Goodman (Ben Stiller). The only way Peter can save Average Joe's is by entering himself and a few gym members into a tournament for the obscure sport of Dodgeball, hoping to claim the grand prize for the victors. But they've never played before, and when Goodman announces he's entering a team too, survival looks unlikely. Dodgeball isn't hilarious throughout, indeed it has some jokes that miss altogether, but wholly this is a very funny film, perfect for it's target audience of 12-16 year olds.

RATING: 7/10 - A humorous spoof of a sports film that is well worth the watch

Planet Terror

Robert Rodriguez's effort in the double feature 'Grindhouse' is much better than Tarantino's lacklustre Death Proof, succeeding in capturing the essence of the B-movie whilst keeping the actual film enjoyable to watch. The plot itself is brilliantly ridiculous and simple, a deadly virus gets released and contaminates thousands of people, turning them into zombie-like creatures. It's up to a rag-tag group of survivors including go-go dancer Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan) and the infamous Wray (Freddy Rodriguez) to put up the fight against the zombies. Combining the slick action sequences of Sin City and the terrific rubbishness of B-movies, Rodriguez delivers a kick-ass gore fest for anyone brave enough to stomach.

RATING: 8/10 - One of the best zombie movies around

Twilight

You'll either get told that Twilight is the best film ever from it's huge fanbase, or that it's the worst thing ever to happen to the world of film from it's equally passionate group of haters. In reality it's in between the two. Bella (Kristen Stewart) moves to a backwater town to live with her dad, and finds the mysterious Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) too intriguing to leave alone, despite his... differences. The two leads have good on-screen chemistry throughout, and the soundtrack is brilliant. The main point of popularity seems to come from Mr. Pattinson's good looks, and the overwhelming reaction speaks for itself. But as a film, the plot quickly becomes uninteresting and at times annoying, although that's unlikely to put off the huge tween fanbase.

RATING: 5/10 - Not as brilliant as some will tell you, not as awful as others will say

Up!

Up! is the tenth film from Pixar, and arguably their best yet. 78 year old Carl Fredricksen is a bitter old widower who is being forced out of the house that means the world to him. 8 year old Russell is an enthusiastic 'wilderness explorer' who stows on board Fredricksen's house as he uses helium balloons to tow it away. The story itself is much deeper than your everyday children's film; a touching character study featuring very adult themes such as the depression of growing old, but never ostracizes it's younger audience. The montage scene at the start is one of the best animated scenes to date.

RATING: 8/10 - Enjoyable for both adults and children, a must-see family film

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

This quirky comedy sees Jason Segel playing the lead Peter, who escapes to Hawaii to forget about his ex Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) only to find out she is already there with her new man (Russell Brand). Warm, witty, and always light-hearted, this may not be the best comedy of the decade, but it's certainly a good movie to watch on a rainy day. Segel delivers the kind of performance we've come to expect after his humorous roles in How I Met Your Mother, and this carries the film, alongside some nice cameo roles.

RATING: 7/10 - Nice film for when you've got nothing better to do

Into The Wild

Most of us only know Sean Penn for his acting work, but if this film is anything to go by, he'll be even more famous for his screenplays and directing work. Adapted from a real story, this powerful tale follows 'Alexander Supertramp' (Emile Hirsch)and his rapid decline from society. Supertramp ditches his family and his inheritance to pursue a life in the wild on his own two feet, with the ultimate goal being the wilderness of Alaska. A stunning piece of work that really makes you change your perspective on a lot of things.

RATING: 8/10 - Sean Penn's shows a sign of great things to come with this brilliant film

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Jack Nicholson stars as Randle McMurphy in this classic adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel. McMurphy chooses to be hospitalized in a mental asylum rather than face prison, but when he encounters the tyrannical Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher)he begins to question his decision, and attempts to liberate himself and the fellow patients from her rule. A brilliant, moving piece of work that will surely stand the test of time, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a fine example of the rare case when the film is better than the book.

RATING: 9/10 - A terrific film that fully deserves it's reputation as one of the greatest films of all time

Norbit

Norbit, a 'comedy', in which Eddie Murphy plays the two leads, is about as funny as a fart in an elevator - distinctly unpleasant. Murphy plays both Norbit, a quiet, nerd-ish type, and his partner Rasputia, who is very fat, and very nasty, which is apparently all the development a character needs. Rarely funny, and at other times downright offensive, Norbit is one you'd be better off avoiding.

RATING: 1/10 - Eddie Murphy needs to relaunch his career, but not with this

Sauna

Brilliantly shot with bleak landscapes and a suitably dull colour scheme, Sauna presents itself as a major player in both the genres of historical epics and psychological horror. We follow brothers Eerik, a violent career soldier who for the first time finds himself without a war, and Knut, a quiet, peaceful scholar, as they attempt to re-map a border between Russia and Sweden. When they accidentally bring about a death of a girl, they are haunted for the rest of their journey. Unlike many Hollywood 'horrors' that rely on blood and guts for their scares, Sauna delves deep into the psychology of horror, and is only let down by often being vague and unclear.

RATING: 7/10 - As Finnish horrors go, this one's a classic

Funny People

From the guy who brought us Knocked Up and Superbad comes Funny People, an Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen led comedy about the world of comedy. Ira Wright (Rogen) is an amateur stand-up comedian struggling to break through, and George Simmons (Sandler) is shallow and empty after enjoying all the benefits of being the most successful comedian going. When they meet, the story is surprisingly touching and deep, and let down only by a reversion to immaturity in a second half that's too long.

Rating: 7/10 - Not your everday slapstick, but a thorough, meaningful comedy

Double Indemnity

Double Indemnity (1944) is the perfect example of a classical film noir. Billy Wilder's artful direction in companionship with the hard-boiled dialogue we've come to know and love from noir equates to a very good film that the infamous Hay's Code couldn't quite ruin. Walter and Phyllis, closely inspected by the brilliant Keyes, attempt to scam an insurance company by murdering Phyllis' husband and claiming the double indemnity clause for a small fortune. Barbra Stranwyck's femme fatale is one of the greatest we've ever seen, and the other cast members are similarly brilliant.

Rating: 8/10 - A golden oldie

Shrek Forever After

Shrek comes to the end of an era with this fourth and final installment. Everyone's favourite ogre, voiced by Mike Myers, faces a new threat in Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn), as he battles to save his very existence. Expect obvious laughs for the kids, a few jokes thrown in for the grown-ups, and a good advancement in technology to fully utilize the 3-D aspect. Doesn't live up to the first two, but better than the dire third installment.

RATING: 5/10 - Not quite Toy Story 3, but an enjoyable summer family film

Inception

Christopher Nolan's (Memento, The Dark Knight) latest creation Inception, is arguably his best yet. Leonardo diCaprio stars as Cobb, a man who specializes in stealing pieces of information from dreams, in what is probably the finest sci-fi thriller made to date. Follow Cobb as he is forced into a seemingly impossible task for one last shot at reconciliation with his family. With Ellen Page (Juno) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days Of Summer) amongst a star-studded cast, Nolan's beautifully constructed world comes to life in a film much deeper than your average Hollywood Blockbuster.

RATING: 9/10 - Definitely one to watch in the cinemas!