The Walk (out Oct 15) tells the incredible true story of Philippe Petit. In 1974, he rigged a metal wire between the rooves of the World Trade Centre towers in New York City and used it as a tight rope. Perhaps my fear of heights was a contributing factor but this provides a film-going experience unlike anything I’ve seen this year. Shot using astonishing 3D imagery, it left me with sweaty palms and a light head. Grade: A.

Miss You Already (out Oct 8) is about two lifelong friends battling major issues - Milly (Toni Colette) has breast cancer and Jess (Drew Barrymore) is struggling to fall pregnant. The film struggles to balance its tones (comedy v drama) and try as it might, it couldn't get me to like Collette's character. Grade: C+.

Black Mass (out Oct 8) chronicles the rise of organized crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger in Boston during the 1970s and 1980s. It's a truth is stranger than fiction tale - evidenced by Whitey's relationship with the FBI. A few parts feel over simplified but Johnny Depp's great lead performance (you almost forget it's Depp) makes this a compelling film. Grade: B+.

Learning To Drive (out Oct 8) brings together two unlikely characters in need of each other. Darwan (Ben Kingsley) is an Indian-born American who works two jobs to make ends meet. Wendy (Patricia Clarkson) is a renowned book critic in need of driving lessons. It's a film that feels insignificant. There are glimpses of promise but we never get to know the characters well enough to care for them. Grade: C+.

The Intern (out Oct 1) is the story of a widowed 70-year-old (Robert DeNiro) who gets an internship for a fast growing online clothing company and befriends their workaholic CEO (Anne Hathaway). There are a few silly missteps (e.g. the deleted email) but this is a warm hearted comedy/drama. DeNiro steals every scene as the calm, level headed "senior" looking for a fresh start. Grade: B+.

The Martian (out Oct 1) is offering light entertainment (e.g. Independence Day) as opposed to an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller (e.g. Gravity). That’s not necessarily a bad thing… but I was expecting something with a bigger emotional punch given the premise. Matt Damon stars as an astronaut trapped on Mars who has to work with NASA to find a way home. Grade: B-.

Macbeth (out Oct 1) is known as being one of Shakespeare's darkest works and this adaptation from Australian director Justin Kurzel fits that same definition. The story has been told countless times before but the stunning visuals (which could be described as both bleak and beautiful) make it a film to remember. Those new to the tale may struggle with the Shakespearean dialogue. Grade: B+.

London Road (out Sep 24) may work as a stage musical but this film adaptation is forgettable. The songs aren't catchy and the premise is wafer thin. It's based on actual events and follows a group of English residents coming to terms with a series of murders in their neighbourhood. Grade: C.

Sicario (out Sep 24) is a stylishly shot thriller about a group of "law enforcement" agents who start acting outside of the law in pursuit of a greater good - bringing down the head of a Mexican drug cartel. Deftly illustrating the blurry line between right and wrong, this is great stuff. Super performances from Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin. Grade: A-.

The Diary Of A Teenage Girl (out Sep 24) is riveting, disturbing and thought-provoking. Based on the graphic novel and set in the 1970s, it's centered on a 15-year-old girl who enters into a purely sexual relationship with her mother's 35-year-old boyfriend. Not often you see a film that asks so many questions of its characters. Grade: A.