Life (out Sep 10) is set in 1955 and follows photographer (Robert Pattinson) as he tries to convince rising Hollywood star James Dean (Dane DeHaan) that he'd be perfect for a Life magazine photo shoot as a means of self-promotion. A few subplots feel under-cooked but the interaction between the two leads makes this an interesting true story. Grade: B+.

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (out Sep 10) feels like a bridge between the successful 2014 original and a final instalment due for release in early 2017. In essence, this is a two-hour chase movie. A group of teenagers are on the run from some bad guys with no substantive plan. I enjoyed the intricate locations and the director's use of light but there's not a lot in the way of story. Grade: B-.

The Transporter Refueled (out Sep 10) is a weak sequel with a script so bland that not even Jason Statham returned for it. Ed Skrein steps into his shoes this time around. It's a seen-it-all-before action film that fails to excite with its fight and chase sequences. Grade: C.

Pixels (out Sep 10) sees the Earth come under attack from an alien race whose weapons replicate famous arcade game characters from the 1980s (e.g. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong). The emphasis is on explosions, spectacle and goofy characters which makes me think it’s aimed at a younger crowd. Why then is the only teenage cast member pushed so deeply into the background? A disappointment. Grade: C+.

American Ultra (out Sep 3) is an action comedy about a nerd-ish stoner who discovers he was once a subject in a top-secret government military program. Best described as a comedic version of The Bourne Identity, it's struggling for good laughs. Topher Grace an odd choice as a CIA agent with crazy amounts of power. Grade: B-.

Me & Earl & The Dying Girl (out Sep 3) is the tale of a socially awkward teenager who befriends a fellow high school student battling leukaemia. It feels like it's trying too hard in the early stages to be quirky and off-beat (many film references) but once it settles and you get to know these characters, it becomes an affecting drama. Grade: B+.

Straight Outta Compton (out Sep 3) chronicles the rise of a group of African American rappers (including Ice Cube and Dr. Dre) in the late 1980s. This film has it all - comedy, drama, tragedy and contract law. Some have been critical of its factual accuracy but I found it be an absorbing look inside a world previously unfamiliar to me. Grade: A.

Stalkher (out Aug 27) is a thriller about a woman who turns the tables on a guy who breaks into her house one night. She ties him up and they effectively chat for the remainder of the film with each trying to get the upper hand. It's a curious idea but the conversations couldn't hold my attention. Grade: C.

She's Funny That Way (out Aug 27) is a slapstick romantic comedy featuring a group of nutty / insane characters and overlapping stories. There's merit in the crazy premise but the dialogue is bland. Not enough on offer here. Grade: C+.

A Walk In The Woods (out Sep 3) is based on the novel by Bill Bryson and follows two ill-prepared hikers who attempt the 3,500km Appalachian Trail. A few parts feel over-exaggerated but the film features two great leading performances from Robert Redford and Nick Nolte who find the right balance of comedy and sincerity. Grade: B.