Hollow, superfluous addition to the Xmas movie canon

Baaa-ed to the bone

Gooey, pretty and content free, Bright Star is art cinema for people who, deep down, prefer Flake commercials and rococo portraits of poodles.

A compellingly grouchy character study and a banging geriatric revenge thriller, Harry Brown offers Michael Caine plenty of opportunities for tough guy thespian showboating.

Wintry, even by standards of its famously austere director, White Ribbon’s pristine appearance masks its dark intentions.

A horror-comedy named for equally spirited Hole anthem, Jennifer’s Body represents the alpha and the omega of the Bad Girl movieverse

Field of dreams

This fabulous steampunk epic set in an unspecified post-apocalyptic future sees ‘stitchpunk’ puppets – the last evidence of human life - take on rampant killing machines.

A group of downtrodden yokels paint trees and mount implausibly cheerful placards in anticipation of an official visit.

If you haven’t seen The Cove, prepare to be left out of a lot of conversations when the Xmas party season gets into gear.

The Vampire’s Assistant could pass for a Bosco Halloween episode. This is, contrary to the crummy production design, meant to be an epic tale of good versus evil.

Fashioned in lovely Oliver Postgate inspired stop-motion, Fantastic Mr. Fox presents a typically dysfunctional Anderson family in action.

Growing Pains

The plight of the bees is beautifully and comprehensively addressed in this smart, heartfelt documentary from George Langworthy and Maryam Henein.

The Undead Zone