The Imitation Game

The Imitation Game

Dir: Morten Tyldum

With: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley

Runtime: 114 minutes

THE story of Alan Turing, the breaking of the Nazi's Enigma code, and the subsequent and shameful breaking of Turin, is laid bare in this gripping drama. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the cryptanalyst whose actions saved countless lives but whose achievement has only recently been recognised by his country. The largely best of British cast deploy Brief Encounter accents by the bucketload, lending the enterprise a kind of Five Go Code breaking air, but director Morten Tyldum (Headhunters) makes the solving of a maths problem as exciting as a car chase.

Opens November 14

Son of a Gun

Dir: Julius Avery

With: Ewan McGregor, Brenton Thwaites

Runtime: 108 minutes

EWAN McGregor goes back to brass tacks indie film making, and his native accent, in this wildly impressive thriller set in Australia. Brendan (McGregor) is an armed robber doing time, with JR (Brenton Thwaites) the young offender who winds up in his debt. Director Julius Avery, working with not much in the way of a budget, keeps the tension high and mounting, delivering one clever twist after another. The boy McGregor is back.

Opens January 30, 2015

Wild

Dir: Jean Marc Vallee

With: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern

Runtime: 115 minutes

AFTER the success of his Dallas Buyers Club, Oscar watchers are tipping Jean Marc Vallee's new film to be in the running when nominations are announced.

Nick Hornby adapts the bestselling, Oprah-endorsed memoir by Cheryl Strayed, who opts to hike the 1,100-mile Pacific Crest Trail. She has no experience, no real clue what she is doing, and is carrying emotional baggage about as heavy as her rucksack.

What could possibly go wrong? The change of tone suits Witherspoon, playing Strayed, and Hornby's adaptation ensures the drama is nicely leavened with dry as desert wit.

Opens January 16, 2015

Serena

Dir: Susanne Bier

With: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper

Runtime: 102 minutes

JENNIFER Lawrence and Bradley Cooper play the crazy in love pair at the centre of Susanne Bier's handsome but uneven period drama.

It's the Depression years, and George Pemberton (Cooper) is working hard to make his fortune in the rough business of timber felling. When the mysterious Serena (Lawrence) crosses his path, it seems he has found a life and business partner in one. Bier handles the period well, and there is certainly chemistry between the lead duo, but the drama unwisely tips into melodrama in places.

Opens October 24

White God

Dir: Kornel Mundruczo

With: Zsofia Psotta, Lili Horvath

Runtime: 119 minutes

KORNEL Mundroczo's genre-bending thriller about a girl and her dog was a double prize winner at Cannes - one for the picture, and the Palm Dog for the furry star of the show. Here you will find horror, politics, drama, chases and more as Mundroczo charts what happens after a girl's dog is dumped on the side of the road by her hateful father. You will really believe a dog can act. Daniel Day-Lewis, eat your heart out.

Opens Spring 2015

The Drop

Dir: Michael R Roskam

With: Noomi Rapace, Tom Hardy

Runtime: 107 minutes

TAKE two of the hottest actors on the planet, Noomi Rapace and Tom Hardy, add the late, great James Gandolfini, a screenplay by Dennis Lehane, the director of the brilliant Bullhead, and one seriously cute puppy and what have you got? A huge hit if there is any justice. Hardy and co play this tale of blue collar Brooklynites dodging in and out of the shadows to perfection, with Rapace outstanding as the frail soul wondering whether to take one last chance with love. Funny, wise, moving, and thoroughly entertaining.

Opens November 14

Whiplash

Dir: Damien Chazelle

With: JK Simmons, Miles Teller

Runtime: 106 minutes

DAMIEN Chazelle's inspirational teacher story has been attracting Oscar buzz since its prizewinning run at Sundance earlier this year. While you may feel this type of tale has been flogged to death, the sheer energy and invention Chazelle brings to the movie makes this a calling card for greater feats to come. Far and away, though, it is the performances of JK Simmons and Miles Teller, as conductor and drumming protege respectively, which drive the picture up the scale. Those who have grown used to thinking of Simmons as the kindly dad from Juno should prepare to be surprised.

Opens January 16, 2015

Bjork: Biophilia Live

Dir: Nick Fenton, Peter Strickland

Runtime: 97 minutes

WHO better to direct a concert documentary about the singular artist that is Bjork than the helmer of the equally weird and wonderful Berberian Sound Studio? Exploring Bjork's ideas of how nature and music intersect, the film homes in on the closing concert of her 2013 tour. The music may not be to the taste of non-fans but it does rather grow on you, as Bjork seeks and finds amazing ways to bring her music to life on stage.

Opens next week in Scotland