The Drop (15)

The Drop (15)

Dir: Michael R Roskam

With: Noomi Rapace, Tom Hardy

Runtime: 106 minutes

THIS Brooklyn-set crime drama was James Gandolfini's last picture, and it is a highly engaging piece. The Sopranos star plays Marv, the owner of a bar where mucky money from shady deals is dropped off. Tom Hardy is Bob, a barman who knows how to keep himself to himself - until he meets the troubled Nadia (Noomi Rapace) and a puppy called Rocco. Adapted by Dennis Lehane from his own short story, Michael R Roskam's picture is smart, funny, poignant, surprising and, like Rocco, easy to love.

David Bowie Is Happening Now (PG)

Dirs: Katy Mullan, Hamish Hamilton

MISSED the Bowie exhibition at the V&A in London? Never fear, it now comes to you courtesy of this fascinating documentary. Described by one of the curators as "the ultimate tour of the exhibition", Katy Mullan and Hamish Hamilton's film accompanies the viewer as they go from Bowie's baby photos - cute - to the Aladdin Sane years, the Diamond Dogs era, the Berlin period, and right up to his latest work. With contributions from famous fans and creative collaborators, this will be catnip to fans.

Cineworld Glasgow and Edinburgh; Showcase Glasgow and Paisley; Vue Edinburgh Omni, November 18.

Not My Type (N/C 15+)

Dir: Lucas Belvaux

With: Loic Corbery, Emilie Dequenne

Runtime: 111 minutes

WHEN cool, black polo neck-wearing philosophy professor Clement is transferred from Paris to a small town he believes it is the end of his social life as he knows it. Then he meets Jennifer, a bubbly hairdresser and single parent. The two ought not to get on, but what does love know of rules? Lucas Belvaux's romantic drama, showing as part of the French Film Festival, has its charms, Emile Dequenne (currently to be seen in TV's The Missing) among them, but fails to pull any surprises.

Glasgow Film Theatre, November 16; Belmont, Aberdeen, November 22; Filmhouse, Edinburgh, November 27.

Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey? (U)

Dir: Debbie Isitt

With: Catherine Tate, Celia Imrie

Runtime: 110 minutes

YOU know how there are some films so bad, so daft, that they end up being really rather sweet and funny? That was the case with the first two family comedies in the Nativity series - the first starring Martin Freeman, the second David Tennant. The third, with Martin Clunes as a teacher tasked with saving Christmas, is just plain old bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Bad. Complete with rotten songs, a convoluted story, poor jokes, and horrible over-acting all round, it is hard to see any age group having fun with this turkey.

Third Person (15)

Dir: Paul Haggis

With: Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis

Runtime: 137 minutes

HERE is another turkey trying to sneak into the pre-Christmas rush of new releases. Paul Haggis (Crash) wrote and directed this ensemble drama which jumps from New York to Paris to Rome and from one set of characters to another. The cast is top drawer, with Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, and Adrien Brody among those turning up to do their acting duty, but the picture is a confused jumble of ideas about parenthood, love, loss, redemption, the writing process, and who knows what else. Some semblance of order eventually emerges, but by that time you'll be hard pushed to care.

Luna (15)

Dir: Dave McKean

With: Dervla Kirwan, Ben Daniels

Runtime: 106 minutes

WITH a family tragedy at its heart, Dave McKean's drama was never going to be an easy watch, and so it proves. Dervla Kirwan and Ben Daniels are the grief-stricken parents persuaded to visit an old friend for the weekend. It should be a chance to escape reality for a while, but their troubles will not be left behind so easily. There is an air of Joanna Hogg about Luna in the quiet, painstaking way the film explores relationships. While not everything in this mix of drama, animation and fantasy works, the performances are striking, from Kirwan especially, and the filmmaking talent obvious.

Glasgow Film Theatre, November 18-20