This crime drama follows two half-brothers, raised in different worlds, who are reunited as adults over a fateful summer. Set against the backdrop of commercial fishing, the story takes on primal stakes when desperate circumstances force the brothers to strike a deal with a violent Boston crime gang. Along the way a young woman finds herself caught perilously in the middle. Sacrifices must be made and bonds between brothers, friends, lovers, and a father and his son are put to the ultimate test. There’s a lot going on here across a number of themes, drugs, family and love. At just over two hours, it could have done with a trim. I began to lose interest, but it is worth a look to see the wonderful Tommy Lee Jones. Always a treat. Plus there’s an excellent soundtrack.

Here’s a chance to revisit this absolute gem. The talented Alan Parker brings the best-selling autobiography by Irish expatriate Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes, faithfully to life in this poignant film. The story follows the experiences of young Frankie and his dysfunctional family as they try against all odds to escape the poverty endemic in the slums of pre-war Limerick. The film opens with the family in Brooklyn, but following the death of one of Frankie’s siblings, they return home, only to find the situation there even worse. Prejudice against Frankie’s Northern Irish father makes his search for employment in the Republic difficult despite his having fought for the IRA, and when he does find money, he spends it on drink. Emily Watson and Robert Carlyle are superb as Frankie’s parents, Angela and Malachy, leading a fabulous ensemble cast. Yes, the film is depressing but, in spite of this, it is definitely brilliant.

Having minimal knowledge of this subject, I found this documentary informative and interesting. I was brought up by my two boys to listen to Rap and Hip Hop, during their rebellion against their parent’s Punk and Rock music, so I am familiar with a lot of the artists in this film. More familiar than most parents, I would say. The criminal case against Young Thug and Gunna, two of the biggest names in hip hop, reignited a conversation around the use of lyrics in the courtroom and sparked a movement to protect art. Although this is mainly at the beginning of the film. Rapper Kemba explores the troubling weaponisation of music against artists in the United States criminal justice system and abroad. I find it difficult to process that an artist could have their lyrics used against them in a court of law. What about the lyrics in Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues, “I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die?” This is very much a case of one law for one group of people, and one for another group. I must say I did get a tad incensed by the end of this.

This a film that dares to ask if a better future is possible for women in a country like Afghanistan. An all-girls’ robotics team in risks it all to prove that it can compete against anyone in the world and demonstrates that girls can become scientists and engineers instead of teenage brides. Working in secret under Taliban rule, the high-school-aged team members struggle in the face of immense odds and ever-present danger, and single-handedly begin to change perceptions in this entrenched Islamic culture. The film focuses on three team members – Fatemah, Somaya, and Lida – all of whom are fiercely determined to follow their passions and become role models for the next generation. Inspirational may be an overused term of late, but these three young women deserve such an adjective, and much more.

Having a child living overseas is difficult for any parent, but what this documentary describes is your worst nightmare. Yingying Zhang, a 26-year-old Chinese student, comes to the US to study. In her detailed and beautiful diaries, the aspiring young scientist and teacher is full of optimism, hoping to also be married and a mother someday. Within weeks of her arrival, Yingying disappears from the campus. Through exclusive access to Yingying’s family and boyfriend, this closely follows their journey as they search to unravel the mystery of her disappearance and seek justice for their daughter while navigating a strange, foreign country. But most of all, the story honours who Yingying was, a talented young woman loved by her family and friends.

Time for a break for some laughs with the kids from South Park. It is some time since I’ve watched this comedy, possibly not since my children left home. It was family viewing in our house, bonding with Cartman and Kenny. I did laugh out loud. My neighbours must have wondered what was going on at my place in the early hours of the morning. Hilarity abounds after it’s discovered that a teacher at South Park Elementary has an OnlyFans page. Randy is compelled to take a closer look at the seedy underbelly of the world of on-line influencers. Trey and Matt have lots of fun with this one.

Written by Truman Capote and George Axelrod, directed by Blake Edwards, starring the glamorous Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, this comedy drama was destined to be a hit. Moon River won the 1962 Oscar for Best Song, and what a classic it has become. The story follows the wonderful Holly Golightly, an elegant Upper East Side socialite spending her time between wild parties and mysterious day trips to Sing Sing, who is confident that she has seen and done everything before. But her life is about to get complicated. As if trying to find an identity weren’t challenging enough, the impeccably dressed fortune hunter finds herself off guard when struggling writer Paul Varjak becomes her new neighbour. But Paul, too, isn’t impervious to Holly’s effortless allure. A memorable and uplifting film, which can be watched many times and never lose its allure.