Having recently tackled Barcelona and Paris, Woody Allen this time aims his light-hearted European whimsy-canon at “The Eternal City” of Rome in a bright and breezy affair that’s amusing, without ever being funny, and interesting, without ever making you care.

With Romney taking on America’s no-good, tax-dodgin’, health-care expectin’ 47%, Mrs Michelle doing the majority of the sweet talking and everyone trying to figure out just what a ‘legitimate rape’ actually is, there’s never been a more perfect time for a slicing satire of the USA’s governmental boxing ring. The Campaign isn’t it, sadly. But who needs game-changing home truths when the dog from The Artist is being punched in the face?

Much, much better than the tiresomely earnest endeavor you might expect given the nature of the independent production, art-house values and risque subject material, Lawrence Anyways is an engaging and powerful look at identity and acceptance, sexuality and love, all told with incredible performances and some interesting – but not alienating – direction.

Directed by Anurag Basu, Barfi! tells the story of a Nepalese origin deaf mute named Murphy who – unable to pronounce his name – is affectionately referred to as “Barfi.” He falls hopelessly in love with upper class Shruti but not before forging a special bond with autistic teenager Jhilmil. What follows is an unpredictable turn of events that speaks to the prevailing and indiscriminate nature of love.

It’s helmets firmly on for this high-octane insight into the lives of New York City’s daredevil bicycle messengers. But will Premium Rush leave you head over handlebars in love, or wishing they’d just Fed-exed the lot like normal people. Our money’s on the former.

A wonderful story of friendship, honesty and acceptance, Untouchable tells the story of paralysed aristocrat Phillipe who after taking on cheeky chappy Driss as his carer, soon develops a surprising kinship with the initially reluctant ex-con. The journey their unlikely friendship takes them on is both touching and thought-provoking. A must see.

Hope Springs is a delightful film which draws the curtain on a seldom discussed issue: What becomes of a marriage once the glitz and vitality are long gone and the couple are in their later years? As usual, Meryl Streep is terrific and works wonderfully with Tommy Lee Jones to portray a long established couple who have lost the spark in their marriage. Compelling viewing.

Throughout their cinematic careers, zombies have been variously utilised as brain-munching bogeymen, rage-addled viral threats and social-political analogies. Don’t let ParaNorman‘s PG-rating fool you, this is a movie with a subversive streak that George A. Romero himself would be proud of.

Ray Winstone and Ben Drew team up to bring us Nick Love’s take on policing the criminal ridden streets of London. Based on the 70s cop series of the same name, The Sweeney attempts to deliver a hard hitting punch to the face but ends up turning in a limp wristed slap. Once more, with feeling Winstone.

“When one story ends, another begins” is the strapline for After the Wizard. Catchy, and often true, but that doesn’t make the story it accompanies any good. Here’s another quote for you: “Property of Breaking Glass Pictures”.You can keep it, mate.