Origin stories of Batman villains don’t get any darker than Joker (Warner Bros). Portrayals of Batman’s arch-nemesis have spiralled in that direction for years.

It’s an old and easily spotted Hollywood trick: Set up a group of easy-to-hate villains, then dole out their presumably just desserts while inviting viewers to revel in their well-earned punishment.

The Latin motto from which the compelling sci-fi drama Ad Astra (Fox) takes its title assures us that, by persevering through difficulties, we can aspire to reach the stars.

It’s rare that even the premise of a mainstream movie can be characterised as immoral.

What’s cooking in The Kitchen (Warner Bros)? A morally muddled stew of fatal feminism.

Much feathery fun is packed into The Angry Birds Movie 2 (Sony), the latest animated installment in the franchise based on the addictive phone app. In fact, in every respect, it’s far superior to, and more intelligent than, the 2016 original.

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has motivated women of all ages to dream together and celebrate family for 150 years.

Good personal values vie with relentless gory combat in Angel Has Fallen (Lionsgate). The result is an action sequel that’s too graphic for those seeking casual entertainment.

Any film linking the names of writer-director Quentin Tarantino and infamous cult leader Charles Manson is unlikely to be a peaceable affair – and this eventually proves true for the auteur’s ruefully affectionate look back at 1969 Tinseltown, Once Upon a Time in … Hollywood (Columbia).

In keeping with a tested formula, barbs are traded, vehicles are raced and both fists and bullets fly in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (Universal), director David Leitch’s stand-alone addition to the popular action franchise that started in 2001.