The Big Short (15A) opens in 2005, when number-cruncher extraordinaire Dr Michael Burry (Christian Bale) discovers the vast hole at the heart of the American economy. 

NOVELTY balloons, ‘pregnant belly’ cakes and Sweet Trees — once the preserve of celebrities and American mums-to-be, it seems the baby shower has successfully crossed the Atlantic.

Holidaying in Thailand at Christmas, 2004, Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three boys are having an idyllic vacation. The audience understands, however, that the first few moments of The Impossible (12A) are but a prelude to one of the most catastrophic natural disasters of recent times. When the tsunami strikes, and a wall of water thunders through their resort, the family is ripped apart.

Poor Gerard Butler’s not had a great time at the box office of late.