Change When Christians want change they have always resorted to bloodshed. When atheists want change they resort to the courts and public opinion. - @God_Sucks (Twitter)

North Sea Texas At once both heartwarming and bittersweet, Bavo Defurne's debut feature Noordzee Texas has firmly wedged itself into my consciousness, and it won't let go. Telling the story of gay teenager Pim in late 1960's Belgium, the film charts his relationship with his mother (Eva van der Gucht), who longs for the glory days having a child deprived her of, and of his burgeoning relationship with older neighbourhood boy Gino (Mathias Vergels). Defurne and producer Yves Verbraeken tell their story with a pared back, almost sparse script, leaving the artistic cinematography and actors to deliver the emotion, and it's Jelle Florizoone's performance of Pim which makes this film an absolute must see. Introverted Pim emerges into the adult world when bike-mad Gino acts on his growing attraction for him, and he finds himself equally attracted to him in turn, the two then embarking on an intense, happy but secret sexual relationship. It's Gino however who later considers it time to 'move on' to a relationship with a woman, and it's the conflict this generates between the two, but also the issues it raises for Pim's own sexuality which gives the film its necessary and brilliantly illustrated subtle edge. Where Gino finds easier social acceptance, Pim finds strength in his own identity, and Florizoone (in his debut role) imbues Pim with incredible (and largely silent) dignity, be it in his rejection of Gino's sister Sabrina (Nina Marie Kortekaas) or in his edgy confrontation with Gino on the beach. It's a film with huge charm, but also a wry humour. Pim makes a play for the family's returning lodger Zoltan (Thomas Coumans), but is darkly outmanoeuvered by the ever-scheming Yvette, who ever more relates to her son more as a rival than an equal. Director Defurne publicly stated though that he refused to go down the stereotpyical path of portraying the circumstances of Pim's first love as dark and doomed, but his story is by no means a fairy tale either - the film has more than its fair share of tragedy and loss. Instead there's a sense of gritty optimism that permeates this beautiful coming of age tale, and Defurne and Verbraeken are genuinely blessed with a superb cast (and Floorizone in particular) to bring it to #life. North Sea Texas has lessons (and memories) for us all.

The Avengers It's like a dream come true. Joss ('Buffy') Whedon promised so much, but could he deliver? Was the Cap uniform redesign going to work? Was the threat to the cinematic Marvel Universe going to be believable enough, and be true enough to its comic counterpart? The answer to everything is yes, yes, hell yes! This isn't the place for spoilers, and yes there's a great deal to spoil - the post-credit sequence for starters. It's a brilliant, character-driven film, note perfect for every character. Whedon promised he could deliver the ultimate Hulk and does. He explores what makes each founding member tick on their own and with each other, building on what's gone on in the prequel films with perfectly timed humour. Want to know why Cap's in charge? It's clear by the end, but it's also clear why the Black Widow is the most dangerous character of all! The acting is uniformly superb. Downey chews up literally every scene he's in, but he's far from alone in the spotlight - the film ultimately works because he, Evans and Hemsworth work so beautifully together (they look rather amazing too). Whedon knows full well that their friendship is the cornerstone of the Avengers, and plays it perfectly, perhaps a little too perfectly. Scarlet Johansson (making up for disappointments in Iron Man 2) and Jeremy Renner (redefining cool) don't get anywhere near as much screen time as Marvel's trinity, and deserve to. But every character has lines which will make fanboys (and girls) new and old alike giggle with pleasure. I'm sure I'll write a spoilerific review on Posterous in the next day or so, but for now I just wanted to feed back on what has become for me the greatest superhero film ever. I will almost certainly watch this a handful more times, perhaps in 3D again. Did I neglect to mention the CGI was superb and really did service a quite brilliant script? I don't normally rate the format at all but this was just a feast for the senses. I smiled from beginning to end. Both the Amazing Spider-Man and Dark Knight Rises now have an almost impossible mountain to climb.

Rain Rain So much for a drought. And the timing couldn't be more frustrating at home - G has finally embarked on his window box gardening adventure, and some of the herbs are not impressed. Nor am I really, suffering as I do from SAD, making a difficult time (I don't have a functional relationship either with my temporary line manager or boss) even harder.

Batman #8 Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are still very much on fire as the Court of Owls attacks a weakened Bruce Wayne in Wayne Manor and the Batcave. The art is cinematic in scope, the tone pitch black with tinges of psychosis, as the scale of the Court's war on Gotham is revealed. Snyder writes the best internal monologue for Bruce since Miller and the most human Alfred for good measure. This is an intense, nigh horrific book, with Capullo and Jonathan Glapion's art beautifully balancing the fine line between superhero square jaw action and Vertigo-esque adult drama. The fluidity of Bruce's attack on the Talons as he races through the Manor is just beautiful. The backup drawn by Rafael Albuquerque surprisingly follows on directly from the main story, and allows time for the characters to reflect on what's happening to them, particularly Alfred. It's a brilliantly executed and still intense compromise by Snyder (& co-writer James Tynion IV). If you're not reading this book you ought to be. It's far and away the best comic book currently being published.