What’s it about?
A group of high school friends are Skyping when a guest enters the conversation: Laura Barns, a classmate who committed suicide a year ago.

What did we think?
Dominic Barlow says: The entire movie takes place in real time on one of the character’s computer desktop screens, and it makes smart cinematic use of familiar images from that environment. Less smart is the story, whose characters become hard to like at all as they are forced to answer for their transgressions. Their constant screaming and crying feels like seeing the “Leave Britney Alone” video play in several open windows, but the film they’re in is enough of a fun novelty to be worth checking out.

What’s it about?
Marvel’s superhero team reunites to fight an AI determined to destroy the world. Did I mention they created it too?

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The Avengers sequel is a grand spectacle featuring amazing fight scenes and lots of adventure and for most people that will be enough. The CGI and one liners are strong enough to overshadow some poor characterisation (the inter-team tension is incredibly same-same and a smug sarcasm is way too prevalent) and a subplot featuring darkest fears that is both cliched and actually goes nowhere. Thankfully grater emphasis on the lesser characters and the delightful voicing of Ultron by James Spader help you gloss over the negatives and you can just enjoy this fast-paced action flick for the fun romp it is.

What’s it about?
An adaptation of the World War One memoir of Vera Brittain (Alicia Vikander), an Oxford student whose life is thrown into disarray upon the enlistment of her fiance Roland Leighton (Kit Harrington) and brother Edward (Taron Egerton).

What did we think?
Dominic Barlow says: The Theory of Everything might have gobbled up Oscar nominations earlier this year, but this is easily the superior historical British romance. It uses a tender love story to portray the personal damage done by a dark time in human history. With a fine cast and finer visuals, it’s a devastating, moving and inspiring piece of work.

What’s it about?
In this latest high school comedy, Mae Whitman plays Bianca, a perfectly happy girl whose sense of self is turned upside down when her neighbour and high school jock Wesley (Robbie Amell) tells her she is the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) of her group.

What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: Homecoming dance! John Hughes references! Makeover montage! This entertaining story is nothing if not self aware, but it falls short of being teen classic material, due to the not-quite fully-formed characters (Bianca excepted). That’s not to say it doesn’t have enough going for it to make it worth your time. There are enough laughs, and Mae Whitman is fantastic as Bianca – it was great to see the character flourish and strengthen her feelings of confidence and self-worth while still staying true to herself.

What’s it about?
British soldier Gary Hook (Jack O’Connell) is separated from his unit during a Belfast riot.  Unarmed and injured in hostile territory, he’s got to survive the night – but who can he trust?

What did we think?
Amy Currie says:  Director Yann Demange’s depiction of Northern Ireland at the height of the ‘Troubles’ is bleak, ugly and very, very well done.  There’s certainly plenty of action, but it’s thoughtful and unglamorous.  There are no goodies or baddies – just people trying to make sense of a sad and terrible mess.  You won’t exactly have fun watching this, but you’ll be glad you saw it.