Gravity (out Oct 3) stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as two astronauts who become stranded in space. Forget the over-the-top stuff we normally see in action films. This film shows how to extract maximum tension from a minimalist story. A few moments feel too constructed but Alfonso Cuarón direction will leave you in awe (and also wondering how he did it). Grade: A.

Thanks For Sharing (out Oct 3) follows a group of people battling sex addiction. Instead of a confronting take on the subject matter (like Shame), the filmmakers have blended tones - this being a mix of comedy and drama. It makes it hard to connect emotionally with the characters... but the film has a few nice moments to make it worthwhile. Grade: B-.

Rush (out Oct 3) recounts the true story of two guys who battled neck-and-neck for the 1976 Formula One World Championships – Austrian Niki Lauda and Englishman James Hunt. There are a few eye-rolling pieces of dialogue but the film still provides an exciting sporting spectacle and some thought-provoking observations about the value of a great rivalry. Grade: B+.

Lovelace (out now) feels like it's only scratching the surface but it's still a relatively interesting look at the woman who appeared in one of the world's most famous porno films - Deep Throat. Amanda Seyfried is great in the leading role and you'll feel for her character when you see what she went through. Grade: B.

Runner Runner (out now) is a thriller that isn't all that thrilling. Justin Timberlake stars as some kind of "finance guru" who starts working for a shady guy in Costa Rica (Ben Affleck) who runs an online poker website. I like the subject matter but this storyline is too neat, too easy, too familiar. Grade: C+.

The East (out now) stars Brit Marling as an undercover agent who infiltrates a U.S. based terrorist group that seeks revenge against major corporations. The film tries to blur the lines between right and wrong (that's a positive) but unfortunately, there are one too many plot details that don't add up. Grade: B-.

The Turning (out Sep 26) is a very different film-going experience. Based on the novel by Tim Winton, it's a 3 hour film with 17 short stories. It's a mixed bag in the sense that some stories have a strong emotional climax while others are dull, puzzling. It's still to be commended for its boldness (and the fact it comes with a 20 minute interval - a nice touch). Grade: B.

Grown Ups 2 (out Sep 26) is the worst thing since time began. There is no plot, no message. It is offensively awful. Grade: C- (only because that's as low as I go).

Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters (out now) is an improvement on the original and while there's not a lot for the adult crowd, it's a fun, easy-to-like adventure that should entertain teenage audiences. Grade: B.

Stories We Tell (out Sep 26) is a wonderful documentary from 34-year-old Canadian filmmaker Sarah Polley (Take This Waltz) that follows her efforts to locate her biological father. This is a film that builds intrigue and offers a few surprises. Just when you think you know where it’s heading and what it’s emphasising… the film unexpectedly changes direction. It’s so beautifully done. Grade: A-.