1 War Dogs (15)

(Todd Phillips, 2016, US) 120 mins.

The far-fetched (but true) story from which this film is adapted is called Arms And The Dudes, which pretty much sums it up. Miles Teller and Jonah Hill play two pals who become multi-millionaire weapons dealers thanks to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the US military’s no-questions-asked procurement strategy. But, of course, there’s a price to pay. A buoyant buddy dramedy with just enough political satire.

2 The Childhood Of A Leader (12A)

(Brady Corbet, 2015, UK/Fra/Hun) 116 mins.

As he rules his post-first world war household with a mix of angelic manipulation and iron defiance, there’s little doubt what kind of leader this tyke will turn out to be. Actor-turned-director Corbet orchestrates the domestic semi-horror with supreme confidence, leading to a 70s European cinema feel.

3 Black (18)

(Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, 2015, Bel) 94 mins.

Vibrant youth drama set amid immigrant communities in Brussels, where a Romeo and Juliet-style romance between a small-time Moroccan thug and a fresh Congolese arrival sparks a war between their respective gangs. While it’s technically slick, there’s also an authenticity to the locales and street-cast performers.

4 Almost Holy (15)

(Steve Hoover, 2015, Ukr/US) 96 mins.

Utterly compelling documentary on larger-than-life Ukrainian preacher Gennadiy Mokhnenko, who takes the law into his own hands in his mission to rescue and rehabilitate street children. The background of societal neglect and deterioration is often shocking.

5 Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (15) 

(Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, 2016, US) 86 mins.

Andy Samberg and the Lonely Island do a much-needed Spinal Tap on the current boyband generation, focusing on an airheaded idol and his unwieldy entourage. Despite a certain predictability, there’s no shortage of parody songs, star cameos and sly gags to keep the comedy flowing.