THE FIVE BEST FILMS

Sideways (15, Alexander Payne, 123mins)

Two men go on a trip to sample the Californian vineyards before one of them gets married in this cracking, beautifully toned movie. Nationwide

2046 (12A, Wong Kar-Wai, 129mins)

The director delivers a fantastically seductive sequel to his swooning 2000 psychodrama, In the Mood for Love. Nationwide

Million Dollar Baby

(12A, Clint Eastwood, 137mins)

Hilary Swank gives a Golden Globe-winning performance as a white- trash contender in the ruthless world of women's boxing. Nationwide

ZCloser (15, Mike Nichols, 104mins)

Two London couples variously engage and disengage in this chilly version of Patrick Marber's stage play. Nationwide

Vera Drake (12A, Mike Leigh, 125mins)

A film of remarkable quality, with Imelda Staunton as the 1950s Londoner who helps out women with their unwanted pregnancies. Nationwide

AND ONE TO AVOID...

White Noise (15, Geoffrey Sax, 97mins)

When Michael Keaton tries to contact his dead wife, he unleashes all kinds of spookiness. All noise, no signal.