Michel Hazanavicius’ sequel to the French hit Nest of Spies, OSS 117: Lost in Rio is a lame, laugh-free excuse for satire. Taking its cue from offensive stereotyping and an inability to decide if it’s screwball or satire, Jean Dujarin’s secret agent neither tickles your funny bone or provides action-based thrills.

You know what you’re in for when you pick up Pineapple Express at the DVD store. It’s a typically zany outing featuring Seth Rogen in his usual sarcastic misfit role, but the boy does it well – this time he’s on the run with his pot dealer after the two accidentally witness a drug ring murder. Sounds serious, but don’t worry, it’s actually far from it – Rogen pushes the boundaries of the ridiculous to extreme degrees in his chuckleworthy screenplay.

King of the American historical epic Ron Howard returns to form with Frost/Nixon. Based on Peter Morgan’s Tony-award winning Broadway play, the film chronicles ex-US President Richard Nixon’s infamous admission of wrongdoing in David Frost’s interview series in 1977. Howard’s intimate dual narrative draws you expertly into the lives of both the interviewer and his subject, while Michael Sheen and Frank Langella inhabit their characters with studied perfection. Despite its somewhat dry subject matter, you’ll find yourself fascinated by this battle-of-wits tale by the time the credits come up.

Based on the beloved 1978 children’s book by Judi and Ron Barrett, ‘Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs’ is a comical fantasy about one man’s pursuit of his dreams. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s computer-animated film is also a colourful morality tale about the gluttony of the west where bigger is apparently always better, especially when it comes to icecream

This silly alien romp brings out the earth-saviour in every kid and shows the grownups who are really in control. Though not the most polished of kids flicks out at the moment, this comedy still manages to shine with a strong cast, fast-paced action and humour to put us adults firmly in our place.

There are standout performances from talented newcomers and brief moments of pathos from screen veterans. But that’s not enough to save this poor man’s High School Musical from becoming a pale, homogenised version of the exuberant original.

A million balloons, a flying house and a talking dog. Disney and Pixar team up once again to bring us yet another graphically and visually dazzling animation. Showing both in 2D and 3D, it’s the cocktail of action, adventure and comedy with an added shot of good morals we can normally expect from this prosperous pairing.

Kenny Ortega’s offering of behind the scenes footage, however lukewarm it might be, gives us a tiny glimpse of an artist who affected popular music like few have ever before. Michael Jackson always said, “I want to start where everyone else would end”. The film doesn’t do enough justice to his musical and choreographic brilliance – it might be called ‘This Is It’ but we know that this is definitely not. Michael Jackson’s legacy will live on forever.

Take a romatically challenged, cynical workaholic and cross her with a victim of heartbreak who thinks with what’s in his pants. What do you get? True love apparently. Boy meets girl. Girl hates boy. Boy wins girl over. It’s nothing we’ve never seen before – The Ugly Truth is your typical boring battle of the sexes ‘romantic comedy’. Yet another sickly film to leave us with a floating outlook on relationships. And that’s the ugly truth.

It’s been a long time coming for this first of Jodi Picoult’s bestselling tear-jerkers to make it to the big screen. The slightly odd casting of Cameron Diaz in a serious drama role leaves a little to be desired, but her younger counterparts shine with charming vulnerability and maturity. Overall, it’s a well-adapted modern ethical tale that will have you blubbering like an idiot ten minutes in.