It can’t possibly be because of the latest Meet The Parents movie, can it?

Going to the cinema can be a frustrating experience – not least because of the disproportionate number of mouth-breathers championing drivel, but also thanks to the shocking lack of choice on offer. How many times must my eyes be popped? Since when was randomness any substitute for jokes? Will Spider-Man ever get past the third instalment? I explore the six fads currently crippling cinema.

Virgin Media Shorts is the UK’s biggest short film competition, giving both established and emerging British film makers the opportunity to have their work showcased to millions on cinema screens nationwide, on Virgin Media’s TV on demand platform, on mobile and online. We meet film-maker Luke Snellin, whose film Charlie opened this years competition, to get the low-down on love, death and putting on his DJ voice to impress the chicks.

Nightmare Movies: Horror On Screen Since the 1960s is the third edition in what has come to be regarded as a “true classic of cult film criticism”. Published in 1985, the original Nightmare Movies was an essential guide to contemporary horror, and, twenty years later, the newest edition is just as indispensible for today’s discerning horror enthusiast.

Borat to portray Evil Dictator? High five!

In real life as much as in film, the experience of watching someone spectacularly break down is as compelling as it is awkward. Our intrepid blogger Cal has scoured the length and breadth of YouTube to bring you some of the most painful, absurd and Nazi-themed character meltdowns in cinema, from Jim Carrey’s umbrella-behatted rant to Al Pacino’s bug-eyed “GREAT ASS!” moment.

Great facial hair isn’t born, it’s made. And we’re all glad for that, mainly for the sake of the christening photos. Whether it’s trimmed and distinguished, unruly and passionate or just quietly, silkily smug, nothing says “I’m a real man” like a fantastic piece of hairy chin-wear. And with Movember – the month where men worldwide throw off the shackles of the razor and grow their ‘taches for charity – there’s never been a better reason to explore your inner face-beast. Take inspiration from history as we celebrate this glorious month with the Top 10 movie moustaches; gentlemen, start your testosterone tablets.

The heat is on to be the best gosh darn villain the world has ever seen. And when your competition is out nicking the Egyptian pyramids and other great wonders of the world, you know you’ve got to up your game. So Gru sorts himself out with the ultimate secret weapon in his grand master scheme; three orphan girls. And before you get the wrong idea, he doesn’t put them through an intensive training course and turn them into child soldiers, rather, he uses the power of cookie selling to get the ball a-rolling.

October is, of course, a time dominated by ghouls, zombies and good ol’ fashioned frightfulness. But with All Hallow’s Eve not falling until the last day of the month, what on Earth are you supposed to do until then? Well you can stop fearing death by boredom and leave your demise to the demons, because here at Best For Film we’ve leapt on the case and compiled some of our favourite film events happening this month. After all, if you’re going to get shocked by skeletons and mauled by monsters, you might as well have some fun first.

Legendary comic actor Norman Wisdom has died at the age of 95.