The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (out 19 July 10, Cert. 18)

Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Peter Haber, Sven-Bertil Taube, Peter Andersson, Ingvar Hirdwall, Björn Granath, directed by Niels Arden Oplev, 2009, cert. 18, in Swedish with English subtitles and dubbed English version

Monkey Score: 86%

Discredited journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired by the head of the Vanger Group, Henrik Vanger, to look into a family cold-case - the murder of Henrik's niece Harriett, 40 years ago. Helped by the soon-to-be retired cop who worked the case, Blomkvist and a mysterious hacker, Lisbeth Salander, dig up family secrets to uncover the truth.

Based on the ubiquitous Stieg Larsson thriller, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is captured the attention of the British public earlier this year. It got close to grossing 2 million pounds: not bad considering the combination unknown talent + subtitles. Do not let this put you off, though: The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo is a class act from start to finish, a tight story filled with strong characters and devious twists. Director Niels Arden Oplev keeps the complex tale of murder and family secrets within the narrow band that lies between over simplifying and trying to stick to the book. He does so in such a way that the film hits the spot, whether or not you have read the book. The adaptation is so successful, in fact, that surprise surprise a remake is on the cards in Hollywood. Even with Daniel Craig reprising the role of Mikael Blomkvist, this will no doubt be a superfluous version. How does one top Noomi Rapace's performance, mesmerising as Lisbeth Salander? Seems a waste of time and money - best invested in watching the original. Get there first and watch The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo before this harrowing thriller gets a numbing Hollywood makeover.

Nanny McPhee And The Big Bang (out 19 July 10, Cert. U)

Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maggie Smith, Rhys Ifans, Bill Bailey, Ralph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor, directed by Susanna White, 2010, cert. U

Monkey Score: 68%

Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) returns with her magical brand of child care to look after five new charges. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is struggling to keep up with the farm payments, her children and senile boss, Mrs Docherty (Maggis Smith.) The country is at war: her husband is away with the army, and a pair of obnoxious city cousins are sent to live with the Greens. Meanwhile, wicked uncle Phil (Rhys Ifans) has plans to repay his gambling debts by selling off the family farm.

While the first film adapted from Christianna Brand's Nurse Matilda was a rather sweet and touching story there is no eligible widower or romantic intrigue in this second outing. Maggie Gyllenhaal takes over from Colin Firth in the role of the struggling parent, while her husband is in the army. From a grown-ups viewpoint this is perhaps a little cliché and one sequel too many. Watch the film from a youngster's perspective, however, and you're bound to give Nanny McPhee And The Big Bang full marks. It's not the most original of set-ups but the film is so full of inventive naughtiness that it works perfectly. From flying pigs to a putty eating crow the magic is intact and little ones will both squeal with delight, and hold their breaths when Nanny bangs her staff. Unmissable for little people under the age of 10.

Hideous Kinky (out 19 July 10, Cert. 15)

Kate Winslet, Bella Riza, Said Taghmaoui, Carrie Mullan, Pierre Clementi, directed by Gillies MacKinnon, 1999, cert. 15

Monkey Score: 70%

In the early 70s, young mother of two Julia (Kate Winslet) leaves London behind with her children and heads for Morocco, searching for a simpler life and what she calls the 'annihilation of the ego.'

Re-issued by Universal Pictures, Hideous Kinky sees a young Kate Winslet fresh out of the icy waters of Titanic taking on the deserts of Morocco. Her portrayal of young, slightly overwhelmed mother Julia is all in nuance, and her constant concern for the children comes shining through amongst the hippy-drippy. The kids are superb, as are the characters Julia encounters in this new culture. Director Gillies MacKinnon was quite familiar with the setting, having himself succumbed to the charms of Morocco in the 70s. His look at the cultural differences and the stunning photography by John de Borman (An Education, amongst other gems), give Hideous Kinky both depth and beautiful polish. Well worth getting your hands on if this rarely seen gem does not already feature in your collection.