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.

Pan (out Sep 24) is yet another film based on J.M. Barrie's famous play/novel. English director Joe Wright (Atonement) and American screenwriter Jason Fuchs have tried to put a fresh spin on Barrie’s material by creating a prequel. Wright’s over-the-top use of colour in Neverland gives the film an impressive visual style that should charm young audiences. There's not as much on offer for adults. Grade: B.

The Visit (out Sep 24) is told from the perspective of two teenagers who are staying with their grandparents for a week while their mother goes on a well-overdue holiday. From director M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), the film has the appearance of a scary thriller but it’s surprisingly comedic. The ending will divide audiences there's enough intrigue to make it worth watching. Grade: B.

Oddball (out Sep 17) is an Aussie family comedy based on a true story. It's about a disobedient dog who takes on an unexpected role - helping protect penguins against fox attacks on a renowned island. Given its G-rating, films don't get much lighter and goofier than this. Struggled to hold my attention (but admittedly I'm not part of the target audience). Grade: C+.

Everest (out Sep 17) chronicles the true story of a group of climbers who tried to reach the peak of the world’s highest mountain in May 1996. Suffice to say that not all these characters will make it to the end of the movie. It shows that you can dream and believe… but you’re not always going to achieve. Grade: B+.

Blinky Bill: The Movie (out Sep 17) is a simple kids film based on the well-known fictional character created by Dorothy Wall in the 1930s. Blinky the koala goes on a journey through the outback to locate his missing father. There's not much to the story but the likes of Barry Otto and David Wenham elevate the film with their voice work. Grade: B-.