Kingsman: The Secret Service

Director: Matthew Vaughn

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2802144/

Review: Riddled with unsettling and problematic stuff but manages to pull off some strong and compelling action set-pieces and some darkly comic violent spectacle.

Watch it if: You're ok with watching a film that is 100% utter UTTER male fantasy.

And if you liked: Wanted, James Bond, Kick-Ass

Check this out: The Secret Service

Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Director: Don Taylor

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067065/

Review: Deceptively intelligent movie with an engaging plot and strongly realised characters.

Watch it if: You're ok with a reasonably grim outcome.

And if you liked: Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Dead

The X-Files

Director: Rob Bowman

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120902/

Review: Plays out like an extra long, scary and revelatory episode with a higher budget and more exciting action set pieces.

Watch it if: You've seen the first 5 seasons of The X-Files.

And if you liked: Stargate, Alien, Mission: Impossible

Ex Machina

Director: Alex Garland

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470752/

Review: Ends a scene late and never quite packs as hard a punch as it should but looks and feels beautiful with nice design and a good score.

Watch it if: You like to see more serious understated science-fiction.

And if you liked: Ghost in the Shell, Minority Report

Locke

Director: Stephen Knight

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2692904/

Review: A gripping exercise in subtlety with a perfect pace and a strong knowledge of how to build its stakes.

Watch it if: You're skeptical about single actor, single location films.

And if you liked: Red Eye, Buried, Drive

Beneath the Planet of the Apes

Director: Ted Post

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065462/

Review: Enjoyable downer sequel that has no qualms with getting strange.

Watch it if: You're ok with a movie sequel just going weird as balls.

And if you liked: Planet of the Apes, The Prisoner, The Empire Strikes Back

Whiplash

Director: Damien Chazelle

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/

Review: Intense and gripping with an impressively performed power dynamic and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end.

Watch it if: You can handle high levels of stress in a movie.

And if you liked: The Social Network, Full Metal Jacket

Birdman

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/

Review: Uses its gimmicks well to say something while delivering a strong tone with great performances.

Watch it if: You enjoy a film having a few meta-layers to it.

And if you liked: Black Swan, Barton Fink, Batman

Foxcatcher

Director: Bennett Miller

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1100089/

Review: Oddly paced at times but holds a strong and tense atmosphere with strong performances.

Watch it if: You're ok with a slow subtle build.

And if you liked: Moneyball, The Social Network

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Director: Adam McKay

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229340/

Review: Has a few laugh out loud moments but is far too long and is mired in a strange lukewarm tone that never quite shakes.

Watch it if: You really need to.

And if you liked: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The Interview, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby