Before we get treated to the new Coen brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis, there's still time to revisit the classics. BLOOD SIMPLE is where it all started for the fraternal pair, and in terms of vintage it's as good as it gets. It's arguably even better than that as Studio Canal have had the great idea to release a directors' cut. The film first came out 29 years ago, but if you expect time to soften the blow, think again. The film has lost none of its grit over the years: the violence and absurdity of the criminally inclined gets to shine through - and shock - now as well as they did then. Do yourself a favour and check it out.

PITCH PERFECT is pure sing-along guilty pleasure. The young talent lending their vocal chords to the production even manage to make a capella cool. OK, maybe ot 'cool' per se - but damn right fun and enjoyable. Some of the mixes are really infectious: Beca (Anna Kendrick, Up In The Air) and Chloe (Brittany Snow, Harry's Law) sing a pretty hard to forget version of Titanium, while the all-male band takes on the likes of Flo Rida. Great performances throughout, and loads of laughs too especially thanks to the fabulous Rebel Wilson and the 'grown-up' pair of commentators played by John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks.

THE EXPATRIATE makes a shy appearance in the shops - not really fair in our view as it’s a film that deserves to be seen. If you like a good espionage thriller with a solid story, decent performances and a satisfying ending, THE EXPATRIATE delivers in spades. Aaron Eckhart is a burnt CIA operative stuck in Belgium with his teenage daughter – played by the promising Liana Liberato – having to cross path again with local CIA agent in charge (former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko.) The shooting budget was no doubt modest, but this makes the action sequences somewhat more realistic. The Expatriate is not a shiny, polished Hollywood affair – and works the better for it. We like.

Disney's pixie star TINKER BELL is back for a fourth feature film, TINKER BELL AND THE SECRET OF THE WINGS and as one has come to expect from the franchise the story, characters and settings are as polished as it gets. Sure it is a little predictable at times but no-one will mind, least of all the young children it is aimed at. There is little left of the jealous pixie friend of Peter Pan from the JM Barrie adaptation, and for once this re-imagining of the character is for the best. The DVD we reviewed was devoid of extras but as the film is sweet and perfectly formed, it’s hardly an issue.

Derren Brown’s SVENGALI succeeds in raising even Derren Brown’s high achievement standards when it comes to putting up a seriously entertaining show. We’re not magic fans at Movie Monkeys – not even one bit – but we have a soft spot for Derren’s stuff: it’s just so brilliant there is no point resisting. The man adds a lot of charm to the proceedings and his undeniable sense of spectacle – and mystery – yet again shines through. SVENGALI must have made for a brilliant evening out at the theatre (note to self: book tickets for next show) and it certainly translates well to DVD.