Pavarotti (out Oct 24) is a documentary from director Ron Howard and is a beautiful celebration of the acclaimed Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti. There's so much material to cover and I was interested from start to finish. Pavarotti wasn't perfect but he lived one hell of a life! Grade: A-.

Ready or Not (out Oct 24) lacks logic in places but it's still nice to see something semi-original within the horror genre. It's the tale of a young woman who finds herself caught up in a murderous game of hide and seek in an expansive mansion. 27-year-old Australian actress Samara Weaving is very good in the lead role. Grade: B.

After the Wedding (out Oct 24) is an English language remake of the Danish original from 2006. It's the story of a middle-aged American running an orphanage in India who is approached by a wealthy American businesswoman looking to donate to her cause. It's a quality cast (Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Billy Crudup) but key plot developments feel artificial and manufactured. Grade: C+.

Promised (out Oct 24) is an Australian romantic drama set in the 1970s about an Italian woman forced into an arranged marriage by her parents. The dialogue is unnecessarily stiff. Everyone speaks so hesitantly and it's as if all these characters have never met before. Disappointing. Grade: C-.

Blinded by the Light (out Oct 24) is a coming-of-age drama about a British teenager of Pakistani heritage who finds his views shaped by a newfound love for Bruce Springsteen. Some parts feel contrived but there's enough fun and emotion to win over audiences. Grade: B.

Zombieland: Double Tap (out Oct 17) is a weak follow-up to the 2009 original (which I enjoyed). It's peddling the same jokes from scene-to-scene. Grade: C.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (out Oct 17) is a weak follow up to the 2014 original.  Michelle Pfeiffer plays the villain this time around but she’s all bluster and no depth.  Why couldn’t they give her a more intriguing backstory?  Angelina Jolie remains the “pick of the bunch” as Maleficent but that’s largely because she’s the only character required to make tough choices and hence, the most interesting.  Grade: C.

Maiden (out Oct 17) is a documentary that shines light on a fascinating piece of sporting history that few will be familiar with. In 1989, a group of women tried to become the first all-female yachting crew to complete the Whitbread Round the World Race. The less you know going in, the better. Grade: A-.

Locusts (out Oct 17) is an Aussie crime drama that features some dodgy, loudmouth folk talking a big game in search of wealth and power in the outback. It's the kind of movie that keeps you interested without doing anything original or special. Grade: B.

Strange But True (out Oct 17) is a poorly conceived drama about a young woman who becomes pregnant in strange circumstances. This is a bizarre film with everyone running around in circles and avoiding obvious questions to deliberately prolong the narrative. Grade: C.