Of Gods And Men (15)
(Xavier Beauvois, 2010, Fra) Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale. 122 mins.
The spiritualism is far from abstract in this powerful, resonant drama, based on a story of French Cistercian monks in 1990s north Africa. When their harmonious village life is threatened by violent Islamic fundamentalists, they're given a real test of faith. Should they stay or go? Do they belong there anyway? Are they ready for martydom?
Megamind (PG)
(Tom McGrath, 2010, US) Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey. 96 mins.
Smart, polished animation with Ferrell's blue meanie vanquishing his nemesis, but then wanting to be good.
Monsters (12A)
(Gareth Edwards, 2010, UK/US) Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able. 94 mins.
Low-budget sci-fi plus indie date movie equals alternative credentials, as a couple trek through a futuristic Mexico infested with aliens and metaphors.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (15)
(Jalmari Helander, 2010, Fin) Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Rauno Juvonen. 83 mins.
This deadpan Finnish treat reimagines Santa as an evil child-snatcher.
Miral (12A)
(Julian Schnabel, 2010, Fra/Isr/Ita/Ind) Freida Pinto, Hiam Abbass. 112 mins.
Well-intentioned Schnabel wades out his depth with a misfiring, miscast saga of Palestinian womanhood.
Secretariat (U)
(Randall Wallace, 2010, US) Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Scott Glenn. 123 mins.
Formulaic fast-horse feelgood, though the Christian wholesomeness tells you who it's aimed at.
The Be All & End All (15)
(Bruce Webb, 2010, UK) Josh Bolt, Eugene Byrne. 99 mins.
A Liverpool teen's terminal illness is played for laughs rather than tears, as his mate strives to make his wish (to not die a virgin) come true.
The Warrior's Way (15)
(Sngmoo Lee, 2010, NZ) Jang Dong-gun, Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush. 100 mins.
East and west meet in New Zealand in this fantasy, with Jang prompting a cowboys-vs-ninjas showdown.
Easier With Practice (15)
(Kyle Patrick Alvarez, 2009, US) Brian Geraghty, Kel O'Neill. 100 mins.
Despite its indie-movie cliches – road trip, phone sex, lonely writer – this youthful debut has a few emotional tricks up its sleeve.
Road To Las Vegas (NC)
(Jason Massot, 2010, UK/US) 90 mins.
Study of an Alaskan couple seeking wealth in Vegas, with lots to say on US society.
Bathory (15)
(Juraj Jakubisko, 2008, Slo/Cze/UK/Hun) Anna Friel, Karel Roden. 140 mins.
Lavish attempt to recast the bloodbathing countess as a misunderstood herbalist.
Freakonomics (12A)
(Various, 2010, US) 93 mins.
Documentarians render episodes from the economics bestseller to life.
Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen (18)
(Andrew Lau Wai-keung, 2010, HK/Chi) Donnie Yen, Shu Qi, Anthony Wong Chau-sang. 106 mins.
Agreeably overblown kung fu nonsense with Yen as a lone hero (and nightclub pianist) in 1920s Shanghai.
Love Life (NC)
(Reinout Oerlemans, 2009, Neth) Carice van Houten, Barry Atsma. 105 mins.
Very Dutch spin on the terminal illness weepie, with extra-marital sex, flashy visuals and high emotions.
Out next week
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
Star-studded seafaring kids' fantasy. Out from Thu
Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie lead a Venetian caper.
Sofia Coppola with another study of celebrity solitude.
Reissue of Ernst Lubitsch's 1940s double-life romantic comedy.
Censor-troubling shocker that takes its torture-porn tag literally.
Mathieu Amalric with a burlesque troupe.
Bollywood crime comedy.
Documentary on Cambodia's Khmer Rouge.
James Nesbitt leads an occult horror set on a Scottish council estate.
Tyler Perry's portrait of African-American womanhood.
Michel Gondry turns the camera on his aunt Suzette.
A female soldier struggles to readjust to everyday Britain.
Coming soon
In two weeks … Long-awaited tech fantasy Tron: Legacy …
Christina Aguilera and Cher in stage drama Burlesque …
In three weeks … Peter Weir's Siberian odyssey The Way Back …
Jack Black expands on Gulliver's Travels …
Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro in Little Fockers …
In a month … Danny Boyle's cliff-hanging misadventure 127 Hours …
