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-.

Gayby Baby (out Sep 17) is the much publicised documentary that follows four same-sex couples from Australia and the children they are trying to raise. The focus is more on the kids and they're a fun bunch... but there's not much more to it except for the obvious message. Grade: B-.

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.