Vicky Cristina Barcelona – 2008 – Woody Allen

An unconvincing and largely unfunny comedy, if only Woody Allen would stop and be content with the canon of work he has created. It was good when it was in New York, sometimes it was great - Bullets Over Broadway. But a muse doesn’t make a movie, even if she is drop dead gorgeous. JJ

Sophie’s Choice -1982 – Alan J. Pakula

If there was one scene in a movie that would encourage me to watch it over and over, it’s the scene whereby Sophie’s forced to make her most difficult choice – sad and painful, but extremely watchable. You’ve never seen Meryl Streep, who won an Oscar for her lead role, so beautifully perfect. Omid Nikfarjam

Partner -2007 – David Dhawan

This is typical David Dhawan fare; an awful script but great songs. I wouldn’t recommend it, unless you want to watch Govinda shaking that booty, and Salman flaunting his body! But, this is a reel feel good film for all the family.  Neha Kumar

Tony Takitani – 2004 – Jun Ichikawa

Beauty and materialism are weaved together with tragic consequences in this artful adaptation of a Murakami Haruki short story. This is one of, if not the best, adaptations I have seen; tinged with the universal elements in Murakami’s writing – sadness, yearning, loneliness, strangeness, music, love and despair. JJ

Code Name: The Cleaner – 2007 – Les Mayfield

A stupid movie full of racist cliches about a cleaner who gets amnesia from a blow to the head leading him to believe that he is a super spy. Carries on in the vein of a Martin Lawrence movie, but with very little wit. The only respite is Lucy Liu. Brian Murray

Mamma Mia! – 2008 – Phyllida Lloyd

The silliest, clumsiest musical ever! I think the director was busy dancing behind the camera. I’ve never seen a thing as unsightly as Pierce Brosnan singing and dancing. BUT… Meryl Streep is absolutely gorgeous. I could write a book about her, 50 words isn’t enough. Omid Nikfarjam

The Visitor – 2007 – Thomas McCarthy

One of the best post-9/11 dramas, The Visitor is a subtle, heart-warming story about a lonely American professor whose passion for music leads him to find compansionship with the most far-fetched people. Jenkins, in the lead role, truly deserves an Oscar for best actor. Omid Nikfarjam

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – 2005 – Shane Black

Okay so KKBB is meant to be fun and enjoyable, after all it’s got a gay private detective, a fast talking New Yorker, a wannabe actress who appears in beer commercials with a talking bear and a double digit body count. But like a whoopee cushion it’s mildly funny yet mostly annoying. JJ

Leatherheads – 2008 – George Clooney

A typical George Clooney romance romp set in the early part of the last century. In his quest to legitimise American football he meets a fiery reporter, who is looking to destroy the reputation of a national hero, and they fall in love. Crap. Brian Murray

Once – 2006 – John Carney

A love story told through a wonderful music video. Glen Hansard plays a down in the dumps busker/hoover repairer trying to make it as a singer song writer. While busking in Dublin he meets Markéta Irglová, a young Czech mother. Together they embark on a funny and uplifting stuggle to put their lives right. JJ