It may only be the second iteration of the Irish Film Festival London, but despite its brief history the festival is already turning heads. Featuring some rather interesting pieces, this festival showcases some of the most well-received Irish films from the last year. Irish film-making is very much alive and present. The festival commences this Wednesday, 21st November 2012. Here are some of the highlights

No-one’s saying that video games have surpassed Hollywood’s best efforts *cough*, but a few years ago we were gifted a look at cinema-as-game and the result was eye-watering in its glory. It’s time for Best For Film’s Favourite Flicks, and we’re making a case for Crank as the greatest action film of the modern era. All because it’s really a video game.

The rain notwithstanding, things are a bit dry at your local gigaplex this week. Fortunately, our squad of stalwart cinewarriors is on hand once more to shepherd you past the leering embrace of Adam Sandler’s henchmen and into safer, Affleckier waters. Just remember – if Kevin James had made Daredevil it probably would have been the highlight of his career.

Star Wars VII has been in the public consciousness for barely over a week, but the relentless rumour mill has been out of control. Everyday yet another potential director is added to the Star Wars VII list, and yet another takes themselves off with a sarcastic quip about how Disney’s Star Wars will star Minnie Mouse with a lightsaber. Here is a recap of all the guys still in the running, and those who have jumped out the Millennium Falcon.

Best For Film’s Cheat Sheets are a weekly look into some of our most beloved Hollywood stars. But even we like a break once in a while. With Kevin James threatening to take the Charmless Comedian Crown away from Adam Sandler in his latest film Here Comes The Boom, we investigate our sentient sack of apples to see if there’s more than meets the eye. (Spoiler! There’s not.)

It’s November, so that means the UK Jewish Film Festival is on. Over 18 days, 5 cities and 19 venues, the festival shows why Jewish cinema has been so important to film making over the past century, and why it continues to influence and inspire. This years highlights include cross dressing, an Israeli-Palestinian bromance and Nazis. Join us as we choose a few of the highlights from the rest of the festival.

With Jack Reacher hitting cinemas this Winter, it’s only right we honor the crazy stunt-monster himself. Say what you like about his personal life, but Tom Cruise is undeniably a fantastic screen presence. Whether you’re watching him mixing drinks (Cocktail) or drinking drinks (The Last Samurai) or demanding drinks (Tropic Thunder) or getting his eyeballs removed (Minority Report), there’s a jolly good reason for everyone to toast our favourite psychopath!

With Barack Obama’s long road to keeping the White House finally over, let’s cast an eye back and explore the truly great presidents of history. Eight of them are fictional and one doesn’t have a name, but they remain icons of dignity, sleaziness, oratory and badassery. Everything we should expect from the man in charge.

Star Wars fever has simmered down, and your normal OWL service resumes in a week filled with Masters and Sapphires, whales and chatlines, and of course Ben Affleck running around Iran pretending to be George Lucas. But what should you spend your precious Orange Wednesday ticket on? Don’t ask Obama – he’s busy today – check with us instead.

Acclaimed TV actor Bryan Cryanston has spent the past few years juggling his multiple Emmy award-winning small screen career with a soaring cinema presence. But which Power Ranger is named after him? We’ve got all you need to know on Walter White (be honest, that’s how you think of him) in this week’s Cheat Sheet.