With Nolan meeting with directors for Warner Bros.’ upcoming Superman project, Man of Steel, the shortlist of his favoured possibilities has become public. And it sounds super!

Adapted from the best-selling memoir by back alley boxer turned crime writer Kevin Lewis, The Kid is a harrowing tale of abuse, neglect, perseverance and ultimate triumph over adversity. Hyperboles like those are often used to describe ‘difficult upbringing’ stories, it is true, but with its exquisite performances, marvellous script and uncommonly sensitive direction The Kid represents the absolute apex of the genre.

“Acting is not creativity, it’s doing what somebody else tells you to do,” Joaquin Phoenix declares in I’m Still Here, a film that charts his decision to stop being a thespian, grow a massive beard and rediscover himself as a rap artist. Is he crazy? Contradicting his own soundbyte with the most intriguing performance of his career, the answer is a resounding no. The story Phoenix and brother-in-law Casey Affleck have crafted is not insane, but assured – a fascinating study of self-identity.

What do you do when you fall off the horse? Why, you jump back on, of course! Or rather, on every attractive female twenty-five years younger. But aside from the sleaze, Solitary Man pushes (albeit, a few ) buttons, mainly as we question whether Ben Kalmen (Michael Douglas) is a troubled human being going through a tough time or a creep with no morals, no manners and the mind of a confused adolescent.

Following a customer focused Facebook campaign, September 18th saw Glasgow’s Grosvenor Cinema stage the first of their new “Lock-In” nights. Slumber parties with a cinema atmosphere, these events will allow people to see their favourite trilogies in on the big screen, watched all in one go and in the company of like minded fans. With the votes counted and verified, the winner that would claim the honour of launching night one was clear – and what a winner it was! This was going to be one night to rule them all…

Creepy, shmoozing teenager, Justin Bieber is not only taking over the radio waves but he’s all spread his sacharine smile on our screens too. He’s chatting to his new mate, Will Smith who must have been charmed by Bieber’s innocence (he doesn’t fool me, he knows exactly what he’s doing) and has decided to make a film based on Bieber’s life. What life?? Isn’t he like twelve??? What could he have done with his life? I’m hoping for a 50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Trying type thing.

Ah, Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2, AKA Black Widow. She kicked, she twirled, she wore a skin-tight jumpsuit! But is her character ready to go solo, or is it just the testosterone in the air?

Joaquin Phoenix has returned to Late Night with David Letterman to explain his infamous 2009 appearance.

With this summer’s spectacularly bad Grown Ups and Dinner for Schmucks still fresh in our memories, we could be forgiven for writing off the US comedy machine for this summer. Happily, The Other Guys has gone some way to redressing the balance with a fresh and funny take on the ‘buddy cop’ motif that’s well worth a watch.

Everybody loves a freebie. Just ask Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross. And whilst I wouldn’t say that ALL of the best things in life are free, The Scoop is offering something truly great. Outside film screenings. And I’ve got the windswept hair to prove it. So forget about the rubbish giveaways; like flyers through your letterbox, a dress ten sizes too small that your pal gave you because she lost weight, or the free drink that ain’t alcohol (yeah thanks) because this is GOOD stuff!!