A Prophet (out 07 June 10, Cert. 18)

Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Hichem Yacoubi, directed by Jacques Audiard, 2009, cert. 18

Monkey Score: 97%

19 year old Malik El-Djebena (Tahar Rahim) arrives at the prison where he's just been sent for 6 years without friends or connections, either inside or out. He can neither read nor write, is rather naive and one of the few inmates of North African descent on the cell block. He quickly gets targeted by the Corsican gang in charge, led by boss César Luciani (Niels Arestrup), who demand a hit in exchange for protection. The Corsicans give Malik a number of "missions" as he gains the gang leader's confidence. Malik learns fast, and is a cunning strategist, working his own agenda as he gets closer to release.

A Prophet has been hyped to death since bagging the coveted Palme D'Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Yet for once the hype falls short of reality, as there really is no way to do justice to such a momentous film in a few words. A Prophet works on just about every level. The top-notch performances serve a first-class script, with guts. The direction is clever enough to let the on-screen talent carry the story, infusing pace and purpose without interfering with the delivery. Director Jacques Audiard expertly uses the prison setting as backdrop to Malik's coming of age. As he progresses through the ranks of the Corsican gang the prison environment helps shape him up. He's a survivor with a conscience, but a survivor first and foremost, who quickly realises that he has been given a golden opportunity to learn on the job as a career criminal. Tahar Rahim turns a stellar performance portraying's Malik's inner struggle, sheer intelligence and absolute determination - as the student realises his potential. If his first lead role in A Prophet is anything to go by, we can't wait to see what else he can do. One can only hope that Hollywood won't attempt to remake this into a cliché-ridden piece of dribble, but the temptation of such a great story may be too much to resist. A Prophet effortlessly claims its place amongst the greatest gangster films of all time. Tahar Rahim manages a career-defining performance in what is essentially his first feature lead role.

Dr Who - Series 5, volume 1 (out 07 June 10, Cert. PG)

Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, written by Stephen Moffat, BBC, 2009, cert. PG

Episodes list: The Eleventh Hour, The Beast Below, Victory of the Daleks

MonkeyScore: 78%

New Doctor Matt Smith makes an entrance in The Eleventh Hour, taking over from the hugely popular David Tennant. Along the new Doctor comes his new Girl Friday, Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), and her loving but slightly clueless fiancé Rory (Arthur Darvill.)

The arrival of a new Doctor is always a big event, and after David Tennant's 4 seasons at the helm of the Tardis it was never going to be an easy pair of shoes to fill. 28-year-old Matt Smith seems undaunted by the prospect, and manages to create a slightly oddball and irreverent Doctor which is different enough from previous incarnations to stand his own. Volume 1 of the new series, contains the exciting hour long season opener, and reconnects with the Doctor's arch-enemies, the dreaded Daleks. Exterminate! A very enjoyable start to the reign of the 11th Doctor, with the welcome addition of The Monster Diaries - a featurette prroduced by the team behind BBC3's hugely popular Doctor Who Confidential series. Will help alleviate the wait for the new weekly episodes, and plug the hole once the new season ends. A promising debut in the mother of all iconic roles from Matt Smith.

The Wolfman (out 07 June 10, Cert. 15)

Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, directed by Joe Johnston, 2010, cert. 12

MonkeyScore: 68%

Based on the 1941 horror classic, The Wolfman tells the tale of Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) who comes back to the family dilapidated country house at the request of his brother's fiancée Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt.) He had not kept in touch with his father (Anthony Hopkins) since the death of his mother when he was a boy. As Talbot unveils the mystery of his brother's disappearance he discovers that the brute and insatiable beast picking out the villagers is a lot closer than he thinks.

A "re-imagining" of the 1941 Universal Pictures classic film The Wolf Man sees Benicio Del Toro struggling against the beast within and discovering a few family truths that may have been best kept quiet. This 2010 version looks great, with the creature expertly designed by multiple Oscar winner make-up artist Rick Baker (An American Werewold In London, The Grinch.) The atmosphere is very gothic, with loads of fog and a grey-blue palette that reinforces the air of mystery. The superb score from composer Danny Elfman also emphasises the Sleepy Hollow-esque feel. Unfortunately there ends the comparison: the characters and story in The Wolfman never really live up to their potential and one is found not really caring about their fate. The basics are covered as the creature transformation scenes are genuinely superb, and there is enough suspense during the full moon sequences to keep you jumping in your seat - but that is about it. There are good performances too, notably by Emily Blunt as the brother's fiancée / love interest and Hugo Weaving as the Scotland Yard inspector, but even acting heavy-weights Anthony Hopkins and Benicio Del Toro cannot make-up for the substance that isn't there. A new take on the 1941 classic with brilliant fx and a beautiful score, but not particularly exceptional otherwise.

A Single Man (out 07 June 10, Cert. 12)

Colin Firth, Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult, Julianne Moore, directed by Tom Ford, 2009, cert. 12

MonkeyScore: 91%

Los Angeles, 1962. English professor George Falconer (Colin Firth) struggles to get through the day. Jim (Matthew Goode), his partner of 16 years , passed away suddenly in a car accident a few months prior. With him went George's appetite for life, and the grief over the death of his great love is all consuming. Best friend Charly (Julianne Moore) seems unable to help him through this. Student Kenny (Nicholas Hoult) reaches out, worried that George may try something drastic.

Beautifully shot, A Single Man is a stunning directorial debut from fashion designer Tom Ford. Best known for his turning around couture house Gucci, this first foray behind the camera reveals that Ford's natural sense of aesthetics goes hand in hand with a gift for telling a story. He not only directed but he also produced and wrote the screenplay, based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood. As a director he somehow manages to strike the most delicate balance: Ford allows plenty of space for leading man Colin Firth, while giving the audience the most intimate access to George's grief. Cast as the bereaved 52-year-old English professor Firth delivers a performance that showcases his immense talent: his George is all in subtle tones, whether struggling through the day or remembering life with Jim. The script demands an outstanding ability to express emotions without relying solely on words: Colin Firth's portrayal of George hits all the right notes with a brilliance that most deservedly gained him an Oscar nomination. In many ways Tom Ford's film is reminiscent of the photographs of William Eggleston. The camera is candid, capturing an ordinary day and ordinary people without getting in the way of the emotions. It is self-effacing, allowing light to bring out an almost ethereal quality to the images. The result is frame after frame of pure cinematic delight. A Single Man is a very exciting first step into film-making by Tom Ford. The result is elegant, subtle and easy on the eye, most like his fashion creations. Colin Firth's portrayal of George is nothing short of exceptional.

Brothers (out 07 June 10, Cert. 15)

Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhall, Natalie Portman, Clifton Collins Jr., Sam Shepard, directed by Jim Sheridan, 2009, cert. 15

MonkeyScore: 56%

Susanne Bier's Danish original, Brødre, gets a remake spearheaded by Irish director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In The Name Of The Father) to take the harrowing tale to a wider audience. BROTHERS follows the trials and tribulations of a young man who must comfort his sister-in-law and her children when his brother disappears in Afghanistan.

Given the pedigree associated with this picture, we expected a great deal more than what was delivered. The original was a relentless emotional rollercoaster while this remake feels like a misaligned puzzle. Jake Gylenhaal pulls off a charismatic performance but we can't help to feel that Tobey 'Spiderman' Maguire is not the right man for the part. Not that he's bad, not at all, but we're not getting the chemistry between him and on-screen wife Natalie Portman. Which is an issue when the relationship is so central to the film. It's not a complete car-crash, and fans of the leads will enjoy the performances. Just be ready to wait being about two thirds in before anything of value starts happening. Brothers features a great turn from Gylenhaal, but other than that it lacks the emotional poignancy of the original it was based on.

The Genius Of Britain (out 07 June 10, Cert. E)

Channel4 five part series, presented by David Attenborough, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Hawking, James Dyson, Robert Winston, Jim Al-Khalili, Paul Nursem Olivia Judson and Kathy Sykes, 2010, cert. E

Monkey Score: 71%

From the steam engine, evolution, the atom, the computer and the World Wide Web – British science has quite literally changed the modern world. Some of Britain’s leading scientific names - Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins, James Dyson, David Attenborough, Robert Winston, Paul Nurse, Jim Al-Khalili, Kathy Sykes and Olivia Judson – will be telling the stories of the people behind these innovations. These are stories of obsession, of people prepared to inject themselves with syphilis, drink poison, blow themselves up and undertake suicidal voyages - all in the name of discovery. From Isaac Newton to Frank Whittle, James Watt to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Joseph Banks to Rosalind Franklin, these are the men and women who - through blood, sweat and tears - overcame obstacles to discover the truth. Microscopes, telescopes, laughing gas, mould, sub-atomic particles, the World Wide Web and cyber brains. These are just some of the discoveries that were made by some truly incredible British people.

Channel 4's series on British scientists is a roaring success, offering tremendous insight into the stories behind some of the modern world's most notable discoveries. The Genius Of Britain takes in the usual suspects - like Darwin, Fleming and Brunel - but also giving a well deserved focus to lesser known scientists like Wallace, Hoyle and Watson-Watt, whose discoveries still have massive repercussions on our lives today. A refreshing breath of fresh air from a major broadcaster, proving that programming does not have to pander to the lowerst common denominator to be entertaining.

Psych - Season 2 (out 07 June 10, Cert. 15)

Dulé Hill, James Roday, Corbin Bernsen, Kirsten Nelson, Maggie Lawson, Timothy Omundson, aired in the US between July 2007 and February 2008, cert. 15

Episodes list: American Duos, 65 Million Years Off, Psy vs. Psy, Zero To Murder In 60 Seconds, And Down The Stretch Comes Murder,Meat Is Murder But Murder Is Also Murder, If You're So Smart Then Why Are You Dead?, Rob-a--Bye Baby, Bounty Hunters, Gus's Dad May Have Killed An Old Guy,There's Something About Mira, The Old And The Restless, Lights Camera... Homicidio, Dis-Lodged, Black And Tan: A Crime Of Fashion, Shawn (and Gus) Of The Dead

Monkey Score: 67%

Shawn Spencer (writer/actor James Roday, Miss Match) and Burton "Gus" Guster (The West Wing's Dulé Hill) have been friends since the 1980s. Aside from their divergent styles--walking encyclopedia Gus plays straight man to Shawn's hyper-observant goofball--the former passes himself off as a psychic. Together, they work with the Santa Barbara Police Department, represented by Chief Karen Vick (Kirsten Nelson) and detectives Juliet "Jules" O'Hara (Maggie Lawson) and Carl "Lassie" Lassiter (Timothy Omundson), their tightly-wound nemesis.

With its particular brand of whodunnit comedy Psych has carved a neat little niche for itself. While not quite in the league of, say, Monk, it solves crimes and entertains all at once, which is more than can be said that a number of shows currently on the box. Delving into the duo pop-culture days, season 2 takes a few episodes to get going properly but persistence is rewarded: season 2 is far more accomplished than the show's debut outing, with the characters coming into their own and the chemistry between the leads hitting full swing. Season 2 features illustrious guests, both on screen (Tim Curry, Kerry Washington, Gina Gershon) and behind the camera - with cult director John Landis at the helm for 2 episodes. The four-disc set is suitably loaded with extras, which include the compulsory commentary and a rather enlightening guide to the pineapple references. While the set is an essential acquisition for the fans, it's also a great way to get into the show and will leave newcomers wanting more.

C.S.I. Miami - Season 7 (out 07 June 10, Cert. 15)

David Caruso, Emily Procter, Adam Rodriguez, Rex Linn, Khandi Alexander, Jonathan Togo, Eva La Rue, aired in the US between September 2008 and May 2009, cert. 15

Episodes list: Resurrection, Won't Get Fueled Again, And How Does That Make You Kill?, Raging Cannibal, Bombshell, Wrecking Crew, Cheating Death, Gone Baby Gone, Power Trip, The DeLuca Motel, Tipping Point, Head Case, And They're Offed, Smoke Gets In Your CSIs, Presumed Guilty, Sink Or Swim, Divorce Party, Flight Risk, Target Specific, Wolfe In Sheep's Clothing, Chip/Tuck, Dead On Arrival, Collateral Damage, Dissolved

Monkey Score: 72%

C.S.I. Level 3 Horatio Caine (David Caruso), a former homicide detective, heads the Miami-Dade forensic lab where his team give victims a voice amid the steamy, tropical surroundings and cultural crossroads of Miami. The team includes Calleigh Dusquene (Emily Procter), Eric Delko (Adam Rodriguez), Ryan Wolfe (Jonathan Togo), Natalia Boa Vista (Eve LaRue) and Medical Examiner Dr Alexx Woods (Khandi Alexander.) They work closely with the local police, including Det. Yelina Salas (Sofia Milos) and Sgt. Frank Tripp (Rex Linn.)

Hot on the heels of the previous season explosive finale, Season 7 starts with what could have been a cracking episode to solve the 'who shot Horatio Caine?' million-dollar question... not that the series opener is bad, mind, it's just that when a whodunnit show is titled 'Resurrection' it kind of kills the anticipation a little. This said season 7 comes fully loaded with drama, betrayals and even a bit of romance to accompany the team's case load. While C.S.I. Miami has for the most part managed to steer clear of the silliness that peppers the latest seasons of its Las Vegas counterpart, there are still a few episodes that don't really cut the mustard. This said none of the lesser episodes reach the abysmal depths of Killer Wave (Season 3, ep. 7) and its tsunami... Overall Season 7 is as enjoyable as it is entertaining - and the Miami backdrop works well to add sunshine and heat to the proceedings.

Get closer to CSI Miami in our special feature, and check out the catch-up trailer to bring you up to speed!

We have scored a set of CSI MIami season 7 for you to win in our competition this week
just follow the link!

Top Gear - The Challenges volume 4 (out 07 June 10, Cert. E)

With Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, 2010, cert. E

Monkey Score: 69%

A special compilation of the Top Gear challenges, as presented in the hugely successful BBC motoring show.

Volume 4 contains the following challenges -

Train Race What would Top Gear have been like in 1949? To find out, Jeremy took a newly built steam train, James an old Jaguar and Richard a legendary – if painful – motorcycle for a race from London to Scotland.

Electric car The question – could Top Gear build an electric car for less than the cost of a G Wiz? The answer was yes, but it looked like a robot’s tool shed.

Ice Racing Proper petrolheads reckon you can’t have fun in a car unless it’s rear-wheel drive. Take three rear-wheel drive coupes on a trip across France, for some unexpected ice racing.

Police cars Top Gear set about finding British bobbies the perfect disposable cop car, thereby allowing them to make us proud on the world stage of Police! Action! Kill! programming.

Classic rally Jeremy, Richard and James had never bought classic cars at auction before. How hard it could be? Cue distinctly mixed purchases on a Majorcan odyssey.

Commie Cars Did the Communists ever build a good car? To find out, Jeremy and James got together a load of funny looking vehicles and tested them at that great symbol of Cold War Britain, Greenham Common airbase.

Ken Block To find out more about rally driver - and internet video clip sensation – Ken Block, James was sent to America for an eye widening passenger ride with the man himself. Good job he packed spare underpants.

Portofino The Riviera was the cool place to be seen in the 1960s. But the congested glamour hotspot now is best negotiated by boat according to James. Richard disagreed, so he got himself a 1960s Ferrari Daytona to have a sun kissed race.

Fiesta test Top Gear received a letter from a man called Mr Needham asking why the programme didn’t ‘test cars properly any more’. Stung by this criticism, Jeremy set out to perform the most thorough road test possible.

Audi vs skiers The Audi RS6 is a fast estate car, but is it faster than two irritating lithe Frenchmen who spend their days pretending to read poetry books so they look more attractive to chalet girls? Richard went to France to find out.

McLaren F1 vs Bugatti Veyron Is Bugatti’s mighty 1000 horsepower Veyron faster than McLaren’s legendary F1 hypercar? Richard went to Abu Dhabi, persuaded the local police to close a long straight road, and set about finding the answer.

The cartoon characters played by Clarkson, May and Hammond have such a way to make motoring personable that one instantly warms to the shows. The Challenges have proved a hugely popular segment of Top Gear, and a perfect set-up to pitch the friendly rivalry of the 3 presenters against each other. They even manage, on occasion, to get cocky Clarkson to eat a slab of humble pie. While not the most original Father's Day present, there's unlikely to be any complaints from blokes being given a copy on June 20th. And for the ladies, the diminutive Richard Hammond keeps things watchable!