Be warned that this unusual film has sexual content, nudity, disturbing material, gore and language. Australian Tony McNamara adapts this story from Alasdair Gray’s novel, of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn, a slick and debauched lawyer – Mark Ruffalo in a role that I found off-putting – on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation. Emma Stone won an Oscar for her performance.

This poignant tale appears to be a story of the impact of loss and grief. The amazingly talented Andrew Scott stars as Adam, who has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbour Harry in the apartment block he lives in, which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life. As a relationship develops between them, Adam is preoccupied with memories of the past and finds himself drawn back to the suburban town where he grew up, and the childhood home where his parents appear to be living, just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before. There is a twist in the finale, which will not meet with the approval of some viewers, where you must decide what is real and what is not.

Although I have already watched this excellent film, I decided to take another look to see if I missed anything. There’s nothing like a degustation dining experience, but Chef Julian takes it to a whole new level, albeit an unsettling one. The genre is horror, so it may not be to everyone’s taste – ha, ha. Expecting nothing less than the best of everything haute cuisine has to offer, a group of ultra-wealthy gastronomes with a demanding palate arrive at the Hawthorn: an exclusive culinary temple run by highly regarded gourmet chef Julian Slowik. However, no one knows that the cryptic genius in the kitchen has big plans for tonight. Now, the host can finally unveil his magnum opus. But is the blasé clientele ready for Julian’s creative madness? The story is based upon the writers’ visit to Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant in Norway, which is also on an island. Three Michelin star chef Dominique Crenn, the owner and head chef at Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, created the dishes, together with her executive pastry chef, Juan Contreras. Highly entertaining.

Rhys Ifans steals this spy action film for me, starring as Grigori Rasputin. In the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions. The independent intelligence agency must work relentlessly to foil their sinister plans. The twists in this one are a bit erratic at times, but it is still a jolly good adventure.

This comedy drama isn’t always at its best, but it’s still a heartwarming tale, which makes for easy viewing. The story us loosely inspired by the American Samoa soccer team, who suffered the worst loss in World Cup history, losing to Australia 31-0 in 2001. With the 2014 World Cup approaching, the team recruits a down on his luck, maverick coach to help turn their fate around. Directed and co-written by one of my favourite boys, Taika Waititi, who also stars as the hilarious American Samoan priest and narrator. This is a pleasant, uplifting tale.

Although not always a fan of Melissa McCarthy, the ensemble cast in this spy drama was enough to twig an interest. Jason Statham as Rick Ford, in a parody of all the characters he has played, is hilarious. Director and writer Paul Feig wrote the character especially for Statham. McCarthy stars as Susan Cooper, an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner falls off the grid and another top agent is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer and prevent a global crisis. This one surprised me.

With the imminent release of Deadpool & Wolverine, it was time to revisit this second instalment in the Deadpool franchise. After losing Vanessa, the love of his life, foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, must assemble a team and protect a young mutant Russell Collins, aka Firefist, from Cable, a no-nonsense, dangerous cyborg from the future, and must also learn the most important lesson of all: to be part of a family again. Lots of funny, laughter provoking moments here, and I love the element of humour that purveys throughout the film. A tonic to lift you up.

Based on the Marvel Comics, Carol Danvers AKA Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilised universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. It’s not perfect, but it’s still fun to watch Brie do her thing as Captain Marvel.

I did start out liking The Beach Boys, but with the arrival of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, my allegiance soon switched to the UK sound. This is an interesting documentary, which reveals a number of issues that I had not been aware of. This is a celebration of the legendary band that revolutionised pop music and created the harmonious sound that personified the California Dream. This is a lovely trip back to those heady days of youth, sun, surf and sand on the North Coast of NSW in Australia where we did our California Dreamin’.