I was not sure whether Four Lions directed by Chris Morris would be any good but went anyway and did not regret my decision.

The story of some, not very bright, Jihadist bombers from north England does not seem like the obvious stuff of comedy. However I spent most of the film laughing, even if others were not sure whether to laugh or not.

If you want to see police snipers arguing if a man dressed as a Wookie is a bear after having shot him, or suicide bombers accidently blowing up themselves up, this is the film for you.

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.

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.

An Education is a very entertaining film based on the experiences of Lynn Barber with a screenplay by Nick Hornby.

All the acting is of a high standard particularly Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard. They are supported by a very funny script and the intriguing premise of a teenage girl who starts dating a much older charismatic man. As a result the teenager learns about live and love in an unusual way.

The film is an interesting reflection on middle class ambitions and snobbery in the early sixties which see Oxford and Paris are the acmes of achievement and travel.

Fish Tank by Andrea Arnold is not for the easily shocked but is certainly worth seeing. Katie Jarvis puts in an excellent performance as the aggressive, screwed up Mia living on a dodgy council estate in Barking. While Michael Fassbender is equally good, handsome and charming as the questionable lover of Mia’s mum.

However two problem with the film are that it is too long by 20-30 minutes which causes a longeur in the second half; the ending is also a cop out after the stunning first hour but if you are sick of Kiera Knightly et. al. go see.

Almodovar’s films have similar themes – lost identities, women with secrets, unusual relationship: almost a formula in fact. It is no surprise then that in Broken Embraces similar themes are evident. However it is different from his earlier works as it is somewhat less frenetic, perhaps more reflective and an easier storyline to follow.

Broken Embraces is a mature film from a mature director. Also it is not just Penolope Cruz, good as she is, as ever the film relies on an ensemble particularly Lluis Homar. If you’re not sure about Almodovar, this might be the film to change your mind.

The concept sounds a bit odd a Ken Loach film with Eric Cantona and involving football that is supposed to be funny. Well it is true.

A film that starts off appearing rather downbeat then progressively cheers up as Eric and his unique Gallic philosophy encourage the loser postman Eric to turn his life around.

Looking for Eric is very funny, sad and moving at the same time. Its amazing how Ken Loach can make you care for characters that at first sight don’t have much going for them. Really worth seeing.

Watch our for the massed Cantona masks.

In Anything for her Vincent Lindon proves that he can carry a film as a star in his own right with a gritty performance as the husband trying to proof his wife innocent of murder.

As one of the detectives following him says ‘he is just an ordinary bloke, isn’t he?’ Yet somehow he fights against all the odds.

If you want to see the seamy side of Paris life this is the film for you. The surprise ending is, well, find out for yourself…

I was looking forward to seeing Synecdoche after Sight and Sound raved about it and admiring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener (Living in Oblivion).  Did it live up to the hype?

Well a game of two halves.

First half very droll and atmospheric and truly impressive; the second half almost a different film once the characters move into the giant warehouse. In the end I was getting bored and wished it was over – was this deliberate to reflect the ennui of the characters? Or just bad directing? Twenty minutes shorter would have been ideal.

Not great but not average.