Backtrack Boys (out Oct 25) is an Australian documentary about a program based in New South Wales where troubled kids help stay out of prison by working with dogs and building lifelong skills. I wasn't aware of this program previously and so the film is a huge eye-opener that will increase awareness and generate discussion. Grade: A-.

Halloween (out Oct 25) presses the "reset" button and asks audiences to ignore the previous 9 sequels (especially the ones where Jamie Lee Curtis' character is killed). Intended to be a direct remake to the 1978 original, characters make some overly dumb decisions but as a whole, it still delivers as an unsettling cinematic experience. Great use of music, lighting and camera angles. Grade: B+.

An Interview With God (out Oct 25) is a drama about a religious journalist (Brenton Thwaites) who has 3 separate meetings with a man proclaiming to be God (David Strathairn). I like the concept but the film avoids thorny issues of today (e.g. gay people, child abuse in the Church) and sticks to basics. Grade: C+.

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (out Oct 25) is a fun sequel where a group of Halloween-themed objects come to life and terrorise a small town. The kids make jokes, the adults act sassy and the end result is a sequel that's almost as good as the 2016 original. Grade: B.

Ghost Stories (out Oct 25) is about a paranormal-busting investigator who looks into three unsolved cases. There's a worthy punchline but it's a slow burn getting there. Grade: B-.

1% (out Oct 18) is an Australian drama about two guys fighting for supremacy within a major bikie gang. Mistakes are made and things get out of control. Great performances from the whole cast including the two leads - Ryan Corr and Matt Nable. Grade: B+.

Wajib (out Oct 18) is repetitive but it's still an engaging Palestinian drama about a father and his son who have lengthy discussions and disagreements while driving across Nazareth and delivering wedding invitations. Grade: B.

Donbass (out Oct 18) is a curious drama that is, in essence, a collection of short stories about characters involved in the war between Russia and the Ukraine. It's a tricky film to be fully invested in given its fragmented nature. Grade: C+.

A Star is Born (out Oct 18) is a remake of the 1937 original and stars Bradley Cooper as a singer-songwriter battling alcoholism and Lady Gaga as a waitress looking to break into the music industry. The film focuses too much on Cooper in the second half but for the most part, this is jaw-droppingly good cinema with great music and great performances. Grade: A-.

Bad Times at the El Royale (out Oct 11) is an entertaining thriller from writer-director Drew Goddard (Cabin in the Woods) about a group of strangers, all who are carrying secrets, who spend a night at a run-down hotel in Tahoe. There are some great performances but the real star of the film is the hotel itself. This was damn good fun! Grade: A-.