After the disappointment of The Blair Witch Project in 1999 and a dozen or so found-footage films since, Chronicle, is thoroughly entertaining.

The found-footage in Chronicle is shot by a character called Andrew, played by Dane DeHaan, who, with teenage friends Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), magically become superheroes armed with kinetic energy, giving them the power to move objects, big and small.

Soon to be working on the sequel to Avatar, Ausie star Sam Worthington appears in some heart-stopping moments in the thriller, Man On a Ledge (M) and, yes, his character, Nick Cassidy, is on that ledge, outside the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City for most of the film.

Trying to talk him out of jumping is police negotiator Lydia Mercer played by Elizabeth Banks, a character who begins to believe Cassidy, an ex-cop who has escaped from jail, has a hidden agenda.

In fact, Cassidy is hoping Mercer will help to prove his innocence. Also starring is young British actor, Jamie Bell, as Cassidy's brother.

The best thing about Martha Marcy May Marlene, (MA15+) is the performance of Elizabeth Olsen, younger sister of the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley.

The family name of Olsen's character is Martha, Marcy May is the name given to her by the evil leader of a cult in which she has become involved, and Marlene is the name used by women members of the cult when answering the phone.

She is sexually abused by its charismatic leader played by John Hawkes and runs away.

Martha soons finds herself in a lakeside house living with her sister and brother-in-law, but memories of the cult keep intruding. As a film I didn't love it.

Made in France, The Artist (PG) is one of the most surprising films of the year.

Like the early movies, it is a silent film in black and white which won awards at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, three Golden Globes last month and is now nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including best film, best performance by an actor (Jean Dujardin) and best supporting role by an actress (Bérénice Bejo).

The Artist is set in Hollywood in the years during the demise of the silent era as talkies took over, and portrays the contrasting lives of two actors.