Takeshi Kitano’s film about the Japanese yakuza may possess all the ingredients – violence, family loyalty and a strict hierarchy – but each wincingly gruesome scene is also strangely hilarious, leaving you laughing at the screen as you watch from behind your hands.

“A city in conflict” reads the tag line, but that doesn’t even begin to cover the violent nature of Jaffa’s Ajami neighbour hood. Ajami attempts to capture the lives of various families caught up in this lethal religious boiling pot.

Jeff Bridges’ apparently immovable jaw leads a beautifully crafted three-hander in the Coen Brothers’ True Grit. A confidently gentle pace and sparse backdrop means the focus of this Western re-make is always on the shifting central relationships rather than action- and though this may make for slightly frustrating viewing for shoot-em-up-ride-em-off lovers, the payoff is well worth the (slightly) clippety-cloppety ride.

D’you know what the world needs more of? Formulaic martial arts films with an unfeasibly badass female lead chasing a briefcase full of MacGuffin to an ear-rending soundtrack. Serve me up some more of that, Vietnamese film industry! Oh, you already have? Super.

Producer: “Ok, guys, I’ve had the greatest idea for our new film. So I was watching Fight Club, right, and then I saw Big Fat Gypsy Weddings with the missus, and then I saw Mega Shark versus Giant Octopus. And what did I come up with? Only City boys versus gypos in a countryside war. GET IN.”

Heavy Metal, muscles, blood, and Vinnie Jones. Oh, and tits. Lots of tits. All in slow motion.

A heavy handed portrayal of a brutal true story. Whilst it struggles to lend any real depth to some of its central characters, this offering from writer/director Cyrus Nowrasteh is a powerful depiction that sticks in the mind. Prepare for conspiracy, betrayal, guilt and one of the most horrific on-screen deaths imaginable.

Sinbad and the Minotaur is an Australian film about a mythical Arab wading into Greek legend, and it treats both cultures about as respectfully as you’d expect from a country which used to forcibly rehome Aboriginal children. Under no circumstances whatsoever should you watch it.

It does exactly what it says on the box. Aliens. And Ninjas. Oh, and they don’t get on. What did you expect?

Take a stroll through London with Tom and Eve, two star-crossed young hipsters trying to make sense of their messed up lives, finding solace and comfort in each other’s conversation. Or rather, don’t. In fact, do anything else rather than watch this deeply underwhelming love story.