ONCE more the doors of academia are closed, leaving parents to deal with that most annoying of domestic problems -- bored kids, writes Richard King.

Oh if only we had the weather! Thank God for cinema. At least they offer a chance for at least a couple of hours relief from siblings squabbling over the Playstation.

Easter is traditionally the start of what I call "silly season"... Yes I'm talking Big Buck Blockbusters. Of course this means that family fare is abundant and this holiday is no exception.

Kids can enjoy the adventures of the baffling merchandising phenomenon Pokemon (U). Yes they made a movie! It's been a huge hit. Why? Ask a kid! But I'd wager they don't know themselves.

Better quality animation is on offer in the shape of The Tigger Movie (U). A starring role for W.T.Pooh Bear's most irritating yet appealing sidekicks. If I had a choice I'd go for Tigger over Pokemon.

I am quite intrigued with Asterix and Obelix (U). This is a celluloid realisation of the pugnacious Gallic comic-strip hero starring everybody's favourite Gaul, Gerard Depardieu in a role he was seemingly built to play! Horror fans are also in for a treat with two big movies released at the weekend. The sure hit has to be Scream 3 (18), the final chapter in Wes Craven's extremely successful ironic trilogy. This time bloodbath survivors, Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courtney Cox are joined by pneumatic Jenny McCarthy.

Other than that it looks like it'll be pretty much business (butchery that is) as usual. Far more interesting is Mary Harron's adaptation of Brett Easton Ellis' controversial and universally misinterpreted novel American Psycho (18).

If this harsh and overtly brutal satire on 1980s yuppie society is anything like the book it will be both hilarious and very, very disturbing... I can't wait!

On a lighter note there is a good choice of comedy heading our way. The Brits are dishing up two major contenders in the shape of Love, Honour and Obey (18), a darkly comic ensemble piece that combines quirky humour with shocking violence plus Kevin and Perry Go Large (12), a big screen outing for Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke's titular teen TV heroes.

My money is on Hollywood's contribution, Galaxy Quest (PG), a spoof on Star Trek and all things Trekkie with a stellar cast including Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman. This wowed them Stateside and all the reviews seem to be in agreement. The humour generator control is switched to FULL!

Happy Easter and go easy on the choccy.