Movies: November

Old Dogs (November 27)
A new comedy starring John Travolta and Robin Williams shows how it’s never too late for bachelors to change their ways. Directed by Walt Becker (Wild Hogs), Old Dogs has supporting roles played by Travolta’s real-life partner Kelly Preston, as well as Matt Dillon and Seth Green. Business partners and best friends Charlie (Travolta), a fun-loving albeit ageing bachelor, and Dan (Williams), a divorcee, have their lives turned upside down when Dan’s ex-wife (Preston) shows up with seven-year-old twins.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (November 27)
Set to take another bite out of the box office is the highly anticipated The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Forced to leave Bella (Kristen Stewart) to keep her from danger from his vampire brood, Edward (Robert Pattinson) leaves the town of Forks. This enables Bella’s werewolf friend, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), to deepen their friendship. A love triangle looms.

Whatever Works (October 30)
This may well be Woody Allen’s funniest film for 30 years – though having been conned too many times myself by reviews that start like this one, I could understand you being sceptical. Boris (Seinfeld creator Larry David) is a genius physicist with a black outlook who doesn’t hesitate to tell people how stupid they are. But when he gives shelter to a sweet but none-too-bright Mississippi waif, Melodie (the positively luminous Evan Rachel Wood), he’s forced to recognise that she might brighten up his life. Between the great one-liners is a message about not judging other people: they can enhance our lives, even if they don’t know what they’re doing with theirs.
8/10 Jonathan Empson