What’s it about?
Nick Dunne’s wife Amy disappears suddenly one morning, with signs suggesting she has been abducted, possibly murdered. As the hunt for her begins and the story of their marriage unfolds, police and media suspicion falls on Nick.

What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: How well do you know your spouse? This is the central question of Gone Girl, based on the acclaimed novel and screenplay by Gillian Flynn, cleverly directed by David Fincher and featuring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, brilliantly cast as the central couple, too cool to be true. It’s a suspenseful treasure hunt that draws you in further with every clue, twist and revelation about Ben and Amy, from the first time they meet to the day of their fifth anniversary. Honestly, the less you know about the plot, the better. It’s thrilling, chilling, occasionally funny, and well worth your time.

What it’s about?
Vlad the Impaler (Luke Evans), prince of Transylvania, risks eternal damnation by gaining demonic superpowers in order to save his people from the invading Turkish hordes.

What did we think?
Andrew Stewart says: Action hero flick meets comic-book thriller meets PG13 horror film and it’s not a winning combination. Evans carries the film through a suspenseful but ultimately jumbled Dracula origins tale. Battle scenes don’t reach any epic heights (they’re mostly just full of bats, and not the kind you hit people with) and for a vamp story there’s not a great deal of horror here either. This one didn’t totally suck (get it? Vampires!) but it wasn’t bloody good either.

What’s it about?
An everyday insomniac turns out to be more than he seems when the scum of the earth floats to the top of his little pond. He quickly goes about adding ventilation holes to those who would do harm to the innocent in his life.

What did we think?
Dan says: This modern reimagining of the eighties TV show of the same name is a beautiful demonstration of the ‘Justice Porn’ genre of film. Denzil Washington is a calm and calculating avenging angel. Apparently invincible he separates each two dimensional bad guy from his insides on route to make calmly psychopathic speeches to his main adversary.

The film doesn’t really challenge the viewer unless the viewer’s stomach for visceral violence is weak. No big surprises but a well-made piece of cinema that would have wooed Edward Woodward if Edward Woodward could be wooed.

What’s it about?
More intertwining stories from Basin ‘sin’ City. In black and white. With OTT violence and sexual themes.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The sequel is almost exactly the same as the first in both style and general narrative technique. In fact, while some would say it should embrace what set it apart, you’re left feeling it’s actually far too similar and instead of a fresh continuation it’s almost a rehash. It’s certainly still enjoyable but Miller and Rodrigues seem to have sacrificed the grit for some average one liners and far more two-dimensional characters.

Fans of the original will still have fun with this romp but it ends up running 20 minutes too long and there actually may be a bit too much nudity (something I thought I’d never write – but it’s probably a reflection of the sameness of it) though it has to be said Eva Green yet again steals the show. Missing sparkle.

What’s it about?
A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Based on the children’s novel ‘Here Be Monsters’ by Alan Snow.

What did we think?
Despite delightfully quirky animation and a genuinely rich story the Boxtrolls is an odd film. It’s a bit too scary for kids under six and anyone over 14 would be left feeling it’s too much of a kids movie. That’s quite a small niche market and the movie would have been stronger if they’d committed to either adults or kids.

The storyline is flat, the creatures are only sort of loveable and while the animation is a marvel its dirty feel isn’t quite appealing. The movie is itself like a cardboard box – so much potential until you open it and discover there wasn’t much in it.

What’s it about?
Boy breaks up with dance crew. Needs new crew and money to survive. Dance. Boys finds new crew. Dance. Boy meets girl. Conflict ensues with a dance battle, priorities (dance) and his life. Dance dance dance.

What did we think?
Elodie says: Dancing gives you endorphins. Endorphins should make you happy… but no amount of dancing can make this film any better. Do yourself a favour and cha cha cha in the opposite direction .

What’s it about?
New York is under the thumb of a heavily armed gang (clan) called the Foot. Four mutated teenagers (spoiler – they’re evolved from turtles) fight back and get caught up in a series of implausible events. It’s worse than it sounds.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The new TMNT movie is a cynical attempt to position a franchise for a new younger audience. Sadly it does so at the expense of the existing fanbase by serving up a flimsy, overly childish plot that is too simple for adults and laden with positively cringe-worthy dialogue.

It also pays scant regard to scientific reality and apparently, Splinter is Japanese for “exposition rat”. The retconning of their origin simply beggars belief (and this from a TMNT fan more than happy to accept the basic premise of 6-foot-tall ninja turtles existing).

Without the entertaining one-liners from Michelango this entire movie would be abysmal. Even so, the humour only elevates it to terrible. I only liked three things in this movie: Michelangelo, the fact Shredder is actually badass and the very last shot of the entire debacle referencing the song ‘So Happy Together’ which is, of course, a 60s song released by a band called The Turtles. Sadly this unexpected subtlety is the cleverest part of the entire movie.

There’s an impressive fight scene (singular) but overall this is mindless and occasionally painful. Cowabungle.

What’s it about?
Twins – estranged for a decade – are brought together through dramatic circumstances and the reunion forces them to examine their lives

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: If there can be such a thing as a beautiful film about depression then this is that movie. Thoughtful, touching and heartbreaking. And wonderful.

Casting talented comedians Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig might seem an odd choice – and any of their fans expecting a comedy may exit traumatised – but they add a gravitas and contrast that only emphasises the gritty, realistic nature of something that touches so many people. Director Craig Johnson manages to avoid preaching or delivering an obvious lesson, instead offering up a sensitive glimpse into everyday dreams and the downs that often accompany them. Closer to real life than some might feel comfortable with but stronger for it.

What’s it about?
One by one, month after month, teenage boys arrive in a glade, surrounded by a maze. Memories wiped, they only know their names. The lost boys form a society which is rocked by the arrival of Thomas, whose curiosity and natural ability as a ‘runner’ in the maze brings fresh danger, but also the chance of escape.

What did we think?
Francesca says: Based on the YA book by James Dashner, this is director Wes Ball’s first feature length film, and it shows in the sometimes clunky storytelling. However, with fantastic production design, a solid young cast and suspenseful action scenes complete with proper scary monsters, this is a perfectly entertaining film, as long as you don’t think about it too hard (after so many months in the glade, why do all these boys still have such great hair?).

This is based on book one of a trilogy (of course), and is certain to please the Hunger Games crowd, so enjoy and stay tuned for the sequel.

What it’s about?
A group of storm chasers are shooting a documentary about tornados. Meanwhile, a small town lays in the path of a giant storm.

What did we think?
Andrew says: If you’ve seen Twister then you’ve seen this movie. If you haven’t seen Twister, go rent it from the video store and save your cinema cashola. The plot is weak, acting is pretty lame and the attempt at the “home video” style cinematography is poorly executed. The few tornado scenes where the film’s budget was spent were short-lived and unconvincing. Overall, it blows. Yeah, I went there.