Thor: The Dark World (out Oct 31) isn't the most exhilarating of stories (particularly in the first hour) but there are enough laughs to make it worthwhile. Tom Hiddleston stands out as the villainous Loki. Grade: B.

The Butler (out Oct 31) has a few nice scenes but it's trying to squeeze too many subplots into 2 hours. As the closing credits rolled, I felt I'd watched a rushed chronology of events than an engaging, character-driven story (such as The Help). Thumbs up to make-up artists though - they did an outstanding job. Grade: B-.

Machete Kills (out now) doesn't have quite as many laughs as the original but it's still a fun, bat-shit crazy action film with a huge body count and a few surprises. Danny Trejo is great and you'll be smiling when you see the likes of Mel Gibson and Lady Gaga among the supporting cast. Grade: B+.

Captain Phillips (out Oct 24) recounts the true story of a freighter ship that was attacked by Somali pirates in 2009. As he has done many times before, director Paul Greengrass (United 93) has created a suspenseful, fast-paced thriller with credible dialogue. Tom Hanks also deserves praise for a strong performance (particularly during the later scenes). Grade: A-.

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (out Oct 24) left many laughing loudly at my preview screening... but as someone unfamiliar with the character (which Steve Coogan has been playing for decades), I don't know what the fuss is about. This film sees the radio DJ Alan Partridge humorously try to defuse a hostage situation at his struggling radio station. A few laughs at best. Grade: B-.

Blancanieves (out Oct 24) is a Spanish black-and-white silent early-20th-century adaptation of the fairy tale Snow White. Can't say I've seen too many films fitting that description lately. It's good too! A fun way of telling this familiar story. Grade: A-.

Prisoners (out Oct 17) is a long thriller (2.5 hours) that revolves around two girls who go missing in a quiet American suburb. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a great performance as a tired detective trying to solve the case... but the story goes down some strange, not-so-credible paths in its second half. A shame since so much intrigue is build up in the early stages. Grade: B.

Mystery Road (out Oct 17) is an Australian drama-thriller about an inexperienced Indigenous detective trying to solve a murder in a small town with next-to-no resources. It tries a little too hard to build its mystery (everyone feels like they're hiding something) but the film is beautifully shot and I enjoyed the deliberate pace. Grade: B+.

About Time (out Oct 17) is the latest rom-com from Richard Curtis and revolves around a guy who meets the girl of his dreams and, oh yes, also has the ability to travel back in time. This film worked for me. Enjoyed the message. Liked the pairing of Domnhall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams. Loved seeing Bill Nighy steal so many scenes. Grade: A-.

The Family (out now) is the story of a mafia family who flees to Italy to start a new life... but they can't seem to avoid their killing ways. This had the potential to be an outlandish comedy but alas, it takes itself way too seriously - trying to find an emotional element when it isn't necessary. Grade: C.