What’s it about?
The true story* of a man so bad as a news anchor that he redefines how the news is presented. A heart-breaking tale of a man and a shark**.

*Not really a true story
**There is a shark.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: By the hymen of Olivia Newton-John this is a funny movie! If you found my opening remark off-putting, avoid Anchorman 2. It’s just as crass as the first. Just as weird. Just as funny. There’s a touch of Monty Python in the surreal nature of many sequences … speaking of surreal, fans of the original gang violence scene won’t be disappointed.

Thankfully I’m not an avid follower of mainstream pop culture these days, so the myriad of celebrity cameos went straight over my head (although I did recognise Kanye). I’m sure for the hip kids of today, this will add a bonus level of frivolity.

What’s it about?
Decades after a brutal attack on the human race by aliens, children are now used as generals to coordinate fleet attacks: their reflexes are faster, their thinking has yet to be stymied by age, and they don’t quite comprehend the concept of death. With a new attack imminent, Earth’s defence forces put their faith in a 9 year-old who appears to be “the one”.

What did we think?
Stephen says: It’s taken over 30 years to get this story onto the big screen, and judging from my friends’ reaction to it (his favourite book from childhood), I can see why. The book is apparently a far more cerebral affair to the movie, which is why its author resisted allowing it to be made for so long.

I’m glad he finally caved in, as Ender’s Game is a rollicking adventure of a young man thrust into greatness (a la Hornblower) … but with a hefty dose of psychological game-play and introspective analysis.

There are spectacular effects, an ending that will leave you gasping, and some pretty hefty concepts to wrap your head around.

What’s it about?
Con-man Irving Rosenfeld (a portly Christian Bale) and his lover (a sexy Amy Adams) are forced to work with unpredictable FBI agent Richie DiMaso (a poodle-permed Bradley Cooper). Things get dangerous as DiMaso pushes them to bring down mafia bosses and beloved senators, and Rosenfeld’s unhinged wife (Jennifer Lawrence) might just blow the whole thing.

What did we think?
Elizabeth says: The 1970s are recreated to dazzling effect with David O. Russell getting the most out of his actors. Every performance is rich and layered, and the rumours are true – Jennifer Lawrence steals every single damn scene she’s in. But – and here’s where I get controversial considering the praise that’s been heaped on the film – I feel like American Hustle was less than the sum of its parts. What film was everyone else watching? I mean it’s pretty good but it’s no masterpiece. It’s like Scorsese’s biggest fan tried to emulate the master and came up short. It’s entertaining, it looks great, but it won’t knock your paisley 1970s socks off.

Sidebar: best supported actress goes to Amy Adams, whose every stunning costume seemed designed to give her a healthy helping of sideboob.

What’s it about?
Set in 1944 and chronicling the origins of the Beat Generation, the film follows fresh-faced New Jersey poet’s son Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe) to New York’s Columbia University, where he befriends the luminous, restless fellow student Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan). Joined by William S. Burroughs and writer Jack Kerouac, the pair grapples with convention, burgeoning talent, literary ambition and the consequences of obsession.

What did we think?
Marnie says: From pretentious, stock-standard coming-of-age film beginnings Kill Your Darlings hits its stride when it takes a dark turn to become a gripping, nicely paced tale of infatuation and its aftermath. Behind another pair of distinctive glasses a committed Radcliffe acquits himself well but the true star is DeHaan, whose character’s pain and desperation is palpable. Whether or not you’re familiar with the Beat movement, the intriguing story and psychological drama will hold your attention until the end.