Richard Gere and Jesse Williams team up in Antoine Fuqua’s New York drama Brookyln’s Finest. Unfortunately, though strong performance create a compelling drama, a cobbled together storyline means that you never quite believe the NY skyline in front of you.

Nine years after he guided Denzel Washington to the Oscar for his riveting portrayal of a corrupt Los Angeles cop in Training Day, director Antoine Fuqua ventures onto the mean, crime-riddled streets of New York. With a dispassionate eye, he once again goes on patrol with the men and women who proudly promise to uphold the law then occasionally bend it beyond recognition

It’s always nice to stay ahead of the curve, if only so you can feel unnecessarily smug in front of friends and loved ones. With this in mind Best For Film brings you what you need to know about next week’s film releases. Have a read, plan your week accordingly, and practice that lovely self-satisfied smile we all love you for…

Hollywood has enjoyed a long love affair with man’s best friend. From 1943’s Lassie Come Home to last year’s Marley and Me, shaggy dog tales have always been a staple on the big screen, with the canine star often outshining the human actors. This is certainly true of Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, which pits Richard Gere and Joan Allen against the cutest of fluffy Akita puppies and an impeccably trained full-grown version. Though the story is more bark than bite, this is still a sweet little tale, well directed and well acted.

For those who can’t quite face the horrors of watching Valentine’s Day on Valentine’s Day, you’ll be glad to know that another option is at hand. Pretty Woman is getting a limited re-release on Valentine’s Day, celebrating 21 years (21 years?!) of moulding women into whatever you want them to be.

She might have been languishing in B-grade obscurity of late, but believe it or not, Sandra Bullock’s latest movie has become the highest-grossing female-led film in US box office history. The Blind Side, a drama about a family that adopts an impoverished yet talented football player, has taken $208.5 million since November despite so far only being released domestically.

From horror flicks to romances, Hollywood owes some of its most original film ideas to the Asian film industry, and has done for the past 40 years. And why not? Remakes of Asian films offer a cheap and market-tested method of reaching audiences and earning big bucks. But simply buying the rights does not always a smash hit make.