The Pitmen Painters, at the National Theatre, by Lee Hall is based on the book by William Feaver. This true story tells how a small group of Ashington miners in 1930s Newcastle learnt how to paint in their spare time.

They wanted to ‘know what paintings mean’ which leads them to learn to paint themselves. In the process they learn what it means to share experiences, be ‘patronised’ by the rich and have their own exhibitions.

This really enjoyable play had the audience continually laughing but also pondering the meaning of art. If you don’t understand Geordie you will struggle.

A Prophet by Jacques Audiard has been compared to the Godfather which might explain why the Barbican was packed with eager viewers.

The story of how a very young Malik  (Tahar Rahim) enters a very tough French prison and by the time he leaves has becomes a gangster kingpin is certainly unusual. In the meantime we learn a bit about prison life, Corsican gangsters and how being a human chameleon can aid survival.

However I was strangely unmoved by the end of it though others have found it a great film: I prefer The Beat That My Heart Skipped.

Up in the air is a hybrid – part comedy, part tragedy, and a commentary on modern life.

Ryan (Clooney) is a corporate ‘terminator’ paid to fire staff by companies that don’t want to do it themselves. He loves his life of living out of a suitcase and his main ambition is to amass 10 million air miles.

Things change when a free-living woman comes into his life, his own company changes and his sister gets married all of which make him reflect on his own life.

A very enjoyable film that avoids glib answers and does not have an obvious ending.

If you have an hour to spare and don’t want to spend any money get over to the British Museum.

Staffordshire hoard: they are showing a small sample of the biggest hoard ever found of Anglo-Saxon treasures. They are still uncleaned but the quality of the gold and semi-precious stones is clear.

Warriors of the plains: in room 91 (upstairs) there is a fascinating exhibition about the native American from the plains. This includes head-dresses (plus scalps, tomahawks, peace pipes. However these are not John Wayne’s ‘indians’ but a  semi-disappeared culture full of myths, symbols and complex rituals. One for anthropologists.

The Road is based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy starring Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron and Kodi Smit-McKee.

Director John Hillcoat has done a great job of visualising a destroyed and dying world populated by dangerous people. The camera work is excellent, and atmospheric, which helps create and sustain an ominous air of tension up to the last minute.

The man (Mortensen) and his son (Smit-McKee) are battling their way wearily towards the coast and hopefully security. In the meantime they have to evade ferocious cannibals and not knowing who to trust. A very creditable film with an unexpected ending

The exhibition Wild Thing at the Royal Academy finishes soon so if you like modern sculpture go soon.

The concept of showing all three sculptors together works quite and is a good introduction to three very different artists.

Epstein the controversial revolutionary – Rock Drill is still outstandingly modern. Too see more Tate Britain is worth a visit.

Gaudier-Brzeska has been a favourite of mine for his works in Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge – some really delightful animals like the deer on show.

Gill has become notorious for his sex charged life (read Fiona MacCarthy’s biography) which is reflected in his work.

Oh dear what was everyone thinking of when they made Nine – the money? Its not very often that I walk out of a film but this was the second time in about ten years.

All the ingredients must have sounded right – Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Anthony Mingella etc. However the they must have been reading the wrong recipe.

Most of the story does not make sense, it is obvious the singing was added post-production, the ’story’ looks like a poorly stitched together pastiche of ideas from other films.

Dreadful, dire, dull and dreary – don’t go.

The sacred made real at the National Gallery deals with 17th century Spanish religious art of a hyper real quality. The concept sounds odd however if you have an interest in Spanish, or religious art, it is worth a visit.

The exhibition is unique because of the stunning sculptures of religious figures painted so well painted that they appear real.  The intention is to show the link between artists like Zubaran or Velazques who painted the sculptures and how this influenced their paintings. So we get to see some great Spanish painting and some amazing sculptures – not for the squeamish.

Sculpture of Jesus recumbant

Sculpture of a badly beaten back

Much credit is due to the British Museum for their excellent exhibition about Moctezuma.

The curators have closely focussed on Moctezuma himself, his reign, related documents and images. At the same time they have avoided spending too much time on the Spanish conquistidors – the emphasis is firmly on the Mexica culture.

As a result one can see a number of well preserved high quality objects which are very well presented. For example the Mexica calendar is clearly explained, as are the images that made up Moctezuma’s ‘name’.

For more on the Spanish conquest read the astonishing Bernal Diaz.

The White Ribbon directed by Michael Haneke is not your ordinary film.

It is in black and white which adds to its other worldly atmosphere and nothing is clear in a film heavy with ambiguity, strained relations and unclear motivations.

The film is set in a small conformist German county town before the First World War. The sense of morality and need to conform is strong so it is all the odder when unexplained accidents start happening which tear the social fabric apart.

If you like films without easy answers but great photography and acting this could be for you.