So, the UK Film Council is to be axed. There are really only two things to do in reaction to such baffling news: a) follow in the steps of over 12,000 film fans and sign our official online petition here b) then proceed to remind yourselves of what the UKFC has brought to our screens in the last ten years, starting with the exhilarating horror sequel 28 Weeks Later.

The 2007 film adaptation of Monica Ali’s novel Brick Lane is reason enough in itself to sign our petition to save the UK Film Council funding scheme. The picture, which was directed by Sarah Gavron, went on to win a silver Hitchcock award and best screenplay at the Dinard Festival of British Cinema. Now is the time to show your support for our independent filmmakers in order for successes such as this to continue.

If I had a pound for every person I saw reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on the train this month I’d be rich. Well, I’d be able to afford a first class ticket anyways and not have to stand in the corridor having my faced pressed against book covers bearing the tattooed back of a naked girl. Without a doubt, Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy has captured the world’s imagination, with Oplev’s adaptation of the first book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo becoming the most watched film in its native Sweden. So what is all the fuss about? In a word, Lisbeth.

Vincenzo Natali’s Splice, much like the genetically manipulated subject of the film, is a hybrid. Living up to its title, the film splices modern fears about genetics with the traditional monster movie, mixing in elements of a psychological drama and dark comedy for good measure. It is a Frankenstein’s monster of a movie that sometimes lumbers around awkwardly under the strain of all its parts, but ultimately remains a fascinating, original and horrifying beast.

Based on a true story and redolent of Germany’s chequered past, The Wave is a compelling film which throws our reliance on authority into sharp relief. If you’ve ever thought that Hitler would never have taken you in, watch this and see how sure you are.

The harrowing story of an intersex teenager struggling to establish her identity. Or is that his identity? See, even we’re confused…

Mike Leigh’s gentle send-up of neighbourly relations is as enjoyable now as it was in the Seventies.

With the final instalment of the Toy Story trilogy opening in cinemas this week, it’s no wonder that parents (and grown-ups furtively pretending to be parents in order to justify their DVD collection) are stocking up on the celebrated parts one and two. Already being hailed as one of history’s most successful film trilogies, it looks like we’ll be seeing a lot more DVD love from Woody, Buzz and the entire Toy Story team. And we couldn’t be happier about it.

Whatever happened to SatC’s spark? The programme’s USP was originally its progressive approach to modern women with modern sex lives, but at what point did someone think that ‘Cynthia Nixon getting them out’ constituted a sociosexual statement?

The vampire has become so well integrated into popular culture it is hard to imagine a time when a romance didn’t come with fangs, and their recent resurrection can be attributed to one film: Twilight. With one brooding scowl from R-Pattz the world was divided into two groups: swooning squealing Twi-hards and, well, sane people. Yes, as you may have guessed I am not exactly what you’d call a fan. I have never read the books and anything that makes a teenage girl scream like a banshee in my vicinity was always going to provoke feelings of intense hate from me. However, even I can admit Twilight is not without its good qualities.