Sherlock Gnomes (U) **

Dir: John Stevenson

Voices: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt

Runtime: 86 minutes

GIVEN the number of times this animated comedy makes use of Elton John tracks, anyone would think it was made by his production company. Oh, wait, it is. The follow-up to the 2011 hit Gnomeo and Juliet has James McAvoy and Emily Blunt giving voice to the star-crossed lovers who find themselves moving to London, only to find it is awash with the kind of gnome-related crime which only Sherlock Holmes can crack. Director John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda) does what he can with material that, some delightfully rude gags aside, is pretty thin.

How to Talk to Girls at Parties (15) ***

Dir: John Cameron Mitchell

With: Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman

Runtime: 103 minutes

BASED on a short story by Neil Gaiman and set in Croydon at the height of punk, John Cameron Mitchell’s romantic comedy is “out there” in more ways than one. Alex Sharp plays teenager Enn, who rocks up one night with his friends at what turns out to be a gathering of aliens visiting Earth. To quote the Buzzcocks, one of their number, Zan (Elle Fanning) is someone Enn should not be falling in love with, but hey ho. After a strong start, Mitchell’s film starts to meander before delivering a barnstormer ending. In the meantime, there’s plenty to enjoy in the soundtrack and Nicole Kidman as a punk godmother. A delightfully weird walk on the wild side.