Saltburn (out Nov 16) rattles and entertains. The story revolves around a socially inept, first-year student at Oxford (Barry Keoghan) who weaves his way into the home of a very wealthy family. It’s power games aplenty as characters use their smarts and sexual appetites to try to get the upper hand over others. Great performances plus outlandish moments equals a terrific film. Grade: A.

The Marvels (out Nov 9) is light on runtime (good) and light on originality (bad). Pakistani-born newcomer Iman Vellani is the stand-out amongst the cast but, when it comes to the script, there’s very little here that we haven’t seen again and again in previous Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks. Grade: C+.

The Big Dog (out Nov 9) is a wild, dark Aussie comedy about a married businessman whose life quickly unravels when his very unusual sexual kink becomes known. It's a little up-and-down and the ending doesn't quite stick... but the film is to applauded for its unexpected laughs/thrills and quirky narrative. Grade: B.

Paris Memories (out Nov 9) sounds gimmicky on paper but it's a moving, thought-provoking film about a woman involved in a Parisian terrorist attack who, three months after the event, returns to the site to help trigger forgotten memories. Has something to say about closure, grief, the subconscious, and silver linings. Grade: B+.

The Dive (out Nov 2) is an English-language remake of a 2020 Scandinavian thriller. It features just two actors and is about a scuba diving exploration that goes wrong after one becomes trapped under a rock on the ocean floor. The dialogue is wooden but this generates enough suspense from the scenario to keep you guessing about what will happen next. Grade: B.

Foe (out Nov 2) is directed by Brisbane-born Garth Davis and is a sci-fi drama set in a dystopian world (the year is 2065) about a married couple (Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal) asked to make a difficult decision about their future. While I admired the performances, I wish this offered more interesting subplots and character power-shifts instead of relying on quirky twists. Grade: B-.

Bring Him to Me (out Nov 2) is Australian made but given the appearance of an American flick. Those from Brisbane and the Gold Coast will recognise locations. It’s a cliched, unsurprising thriller about a heist gone wrong and the ramifications which follow. Grade: C.

The Killer (out Oct 26) is the latest from director David Fincher and is the tale of a softly-spoken, music-loving hitman (Michael Fassbender) who finds his own life in danger after a botched job. You're never quite sure where this film is heading. It's like a Jason Bourne-style spy flick except the focus is on the methods/process as opposed to the characters. Enjoyed it a lot! Grade: A-.

Five Nights at Freddy’s (out Oct 26) gets a few things right… but it’s a long way from five stars.  Framed as a horror-thriller, it’s the story of a dilapidated pizzeria, a down-on-his-luck security guard, and some “possessed” animatronic toys.  I liked the idea, star Josh Hutcherson, and the supernatural dream stuff.  On the flip side, the direction is uninspired, the horror is limited, and the plot loses its way. Grade: C+.

Mercy Road (out Oct 26) is a stylish Aussie thriller about a father trying to locate his missing 12-year-old daughter. The point of difference is that it takes place entirely inside a ute as the dad makes stressed phone calls while driving on remote roads. The music is over-cooked but aside, this is gripping. Grade: B+.