Tabu (out May 16) is a Portuguese film that I really struggled with (despite the fact it has won a few awards). Told in two parts, it begins with an cranky old woman from Lisbon who is frustrated by her maid. There's an emotional impact late in this story but it's a long, slow grind in the lead up. Grade: C+.

Evil Dead (out now) a simple, old-school horror film. A group of 5 youngsters head to a secluded cabin for a few days and conjure up a very annoyed demon. Time isn't wasted with a bunch of false frights - the violence is plentiful and blood is freely flowing. I wouldn't describe it as "scary" and the characters do some dumb things towards the end but it'll still find an audience amongst those who enjoy the horror genre. Grade: B-.

The Hunt (out now) is a Danish film about a teacher from a small town who is falsely accused of sexual assault by a misguided young girl. This is a riveting, depressing, amazing piece of cinema. You'll feel swamped by a sense of hopelessness as the tragedy unfolds. Grade: A.

Spring Breakers (out now) follows 4 young women who rob a take-away store and then head to Florida for an alcohol/drug fuelled vacation. This film is 60% slo-mo, 35% breasts and 5% James Franco sucking off a gun. Would have preferred more story but it does win points for its use of a Britney Spears song (you can't help but laugh when you see the context). Grade: B-.

Star Trek Into Darkness (out May 9) is good but ranks slightly below the 2009 reboot. It features an interesting villain (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) but this film goes a little too overboard on the action and doesn't find the time to develop the characters in any great depth (e.g. the friction between Spock and Uhura). Grade: B.

The Paperboy (out now) has been trashed by most critics... and they're on the money. It's a messy effort from director Lee Daniels (Precious) that doesn't know what it wants to be. Grade: C.

The Place Beyond The Pines (out May 9) begins with a motorcycle stunt rider turning to a life of crime to provide for his infant son. Where it heads next came as a complete surprise. I can't get this film out of my head! I'm struggling to grasp the broad message but I'm impressed by the thought-provoking characters created by director Derek Cianfrance. Grade: B+.

Drift (out now) is inspired by actual events and follows two brothers in the 1970s trying to start their own surfboard company in Australia. It's a by-the-book drama but it comes with good performances and some great cinematography. Worth a look. Grade: B.

The Big Wedding (out now) is about a long-divorced couple who have to pretend to be married to appease their adopted son's biological mother (a devout Catholic) at his wedding. This film doesn't work. It plays it way too safe given the farcical premise. It needed more laughs and more interesting characters (ala The Birdcage). Grade: C.

Iron Man 3 (out Apr 24) looks like it's been edited by someone with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (too much going on at once) but that's a minor weakness. The film impresses by taking chances and offering unexpected twists – both dramatic and comedic. Iron Man is a fun superhero (so full of contradictions) and beneath his armour, Robert Downey Jr dominates once again. Grade: B+.