A quote from one critic “broad, scattergun humour, lazy characterisation and inept plot and dialogue.” Well, okay, yes, it’s not perfect, but Line of Duty’s Martin Compston’s in it, there’s an abundance of lilting Scottish accents and lovely scenery, so for me it was relaxing viewing. Sometimes you need a break from plots so clever and deep that you don’t know what it’s all supposed to mean. Disillusioned with life in Glasgow, Ritchie goes undercover at a Highland conservation centre to make his fortune as an illegal pearl fisher. He meets Beth, a conservationist passionate about saving endangered mussels from the clutches of pearl thieves in the Scottish Highlands and falls for her instantly. Quirky characters abound. A relaxing film with conservation at its heart.

A poignant film starring the quietly superb Mackenzie Crook as a young man who struggles to get over a family tragedy that has haunted him since childhood. When his father becomes ill, he decides to travel back home to Wales with a grandfather clock, which perhaps represents the passing of time, of life and memories. Along the way, he is joined by some interesting characters, not all of them with his interests at heart. One of those films that slips under the radar, but is an absolute gem.

The critics weren’t kind with this one, and I’m not really sure why. J.K. Simmons has always been a favourite and he’s so good here, as he always is. He stars as Frank Gallo, who thinks his daughter has gone missing and enlists the assistance of her ex-boyfriend who he has been a bit disdainful to in the past. They form an improbable search party and end up on an all-night adventure all over west Hollywood. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Very entertaining.

Staying with J.K. Simmons, he gives a touching performance in this drama, as Bill Palet who, after the loss of his wife, moves to the city with his 17-year-old son Wes in an attempt to have a fresh start. As they each begin to adjust to their new life and seek ways to heal their wounds, they both eventually find comfort in newfound romance. Wes meets Lacy, whose enigmatic personality captivates Wes’ attention, and Bill meets Carine, a compassionate and elegant teacher whose own past heartaches resonate with his. As relationships are tested, Bill and Wes grow apart and back together again while discovering their true selves in the process.

The romantic comedy is actually quite a lot of fun, which I didn’t expect, going on reviews, which one never should. It all comes down to personal taste in the end. Margot and Griffin are two people who believe in love but seem to never be able to find its true meaning. In a wild twist of events, fate puts each in the other’s path on a stormy New Year’s Eve and comedy and chaos ensue. Lovely to see the wonderful Wendie Malick as Griffin’s doting mother, Nancy. Whether you believe in fate or not, this is enjoyable viewing if you’re a romantic at heart.

There are quite a few gems on Prime if you do a bit of a wander about. Here we have a quirky – the Irish do it very well – romantic comedy shot in Ireland, with an all-Irish cast and crew. The scenario all begins with the devil cursing two servants who upset his plans back in the day by killing a Gaelic King. The curse was handed down until it lands on Bailey and Limp in the present day. Through a series of comic events the pair try to rid themselves of the curse. The film was a favourite with international film festivals and won quite a few awards. An entertaining little movie, which has been overlooked, I suspect.

It’s such beautiful countryside, that I decided to remain in Ireland for a wee bit longer. Matt Donnelly is a writer who returns to Ireland, after spending 25 years in New York, to confront the ghosts of his past, which appears to have something to do with his refusing to fight with the IRA. It is only hinted at in a couple of scenes. There is some amazing archive footage from that time. Director Colin Broderick also penned the script, which is inspired in part by his own life. It’s a quiet, thoughtful film about misunderstanding situations that occurred as a child, and carrying them with you all of your life.

Every now and then it’s time to revisit films that one has enjoyed immensely over the years. This is one of those for me. Sofia Coppola won an Oscar for Best Screenplay for this outstanding film. She became the first woman nominated for writing, directing and producing in 2003. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson star as a faded movie star and a neglected young woman, who form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo. Bob is earning a lot of money to film a personal endorsement Suntory whiskey ad solely for the Japanese market. Charlotte is left to her own devices while her husband is on a photographic assignment. After a few chance encounters in the hotel, they end up spending much of their time hanging out together, each helping the other deal with their feelings of loss in their current lives.

Enough of the romance and whimsy, time to get back to the world of crime. Peter Saarsgard stars as a father who is driving his daughter dance camp when they spot the girl’s best friend on the side of the road. When they stop to offer the friend a ride, their good intentions soon result in terrible consequences. The family quickly closes ranks and decides not to tell anybody. But secrets rarely stay secret for long, and they soon find themselves faced with an impossible choice that will alter the course of their lives forever. A good film, although I’m not sure where it fits into the horror genre.