Prepare yourselves for a quaint little tale about love, life, death and the cutest Jack Russell in the world (second to maybe Eddie in Frasier) in Beginners; a rather lovely comedy-drama written and directed by Mike Mills.

Australian cinema has given us some cult classics over the years, proving that the country’s cinematic output isn’t all Baz Luhrmann. The Castle, now being re-released 15 years after it was made, is perhaps the best of the bunch. Hilarious and touching – just get it, it’s a ripper! (That’s Australian for “good”).

A joyful, life-affirming bromance that reminds us that quality comedy can be more than just blokes in bad shirts sitting in some chairs, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara should have Apatow types quaking in their unimaginative Converses. Skillfully constructed, beautifully played and face-smackingly ambitious, there’s basically nothing not to like about this achingly decadent Bollywood road movie. Unless you hate spontaneous flamenco, in which case you’re probably dead inside.

A ghost story by design and a human drama at its core, Lake Mungo explores the painful psychology of loss, and our collective inability to explain the blurred space between life and death. It’s rather good.

The Lost Bladesman is based on the real life of ancient Hong Kong warrior Guan Yo as he reluctantly fights his way through the civil war that ended in the collapse of the Han Dynasty. Packed with gore, fighting and fancy swordplay, it has everything that a self-respecting Hong Kong action movie should have.

Wasted On The Young is a tense high school drama about sex, drugs and the unfortunate world of high school hierarchy. If you hate the bright, colourful, cutesy-poo teen flicks that we are regularly faced with, then this will be a welcome change.

Just Do It is a new observational documentary from Emily James that gives an eye-opening and unique insight into the world of environmental direct action movement as she films from inside the UK activist community.

Every so often you watch a film that you know you’re going to love within the first 5 or 10 minutes. Treacle Jr. is one such film. Funny, poignant, wonderfully acted and making brilliant use of its South London locations, Treacle Jr. is an absolute gem of a film, illustrating once again that you don’t need a Hollywood budget to create brilliant cinema.

To celebrate the 80th birthday of Ealing Studios, the classic Whisky Galore is back on our big screens as of the 29th July. And frankly, I couldn’t be happier. Spruced up with digital restoration, stylistically stunning cover designs and retaining its utter, utter brilliance – there’s no excuse, you simply have to see it.

Alan Butterworth presents his debut feature The Drummond Will: a black comedy about two brothers who visit the village their father passed away in, only to be faced with a bag full of money, a village full of lunatics, and numerous over-the-top ‘comedy’ voices.