Bloodshot (out Mar 12) stars Vin Diesel as a man given ability to regenerate when injury (hence, he cannot be killed). In a genre where Marvel and DC have shown us what's possible in terms of creativity, this comes across as a tired, uninspired superhero flick. Attempts at humour are also weak. Grade: C.

Military Wives (out Mar 12) is loosely based on a true story and is about two British women who start a small choir for women looking to keep occupied while their military spouses/boyfriends were away on overseas deployment. The film relies far too heavily on predictable clichés but there's a more dramatic layer in the second half that leaves an emotional mark. Grade: B-.

In Fabric (out Mar 12) is a bizarre horror film about a woman who buys a red dress from a weird department store and then finds it trying to kill her (yes, you heard that right). From the unusual opening credits... to the distinctive music score... to the masturbating sales guy, this is strange stuff. Part of me wishes it was even stranger. Grade: B.

Happy New Year, Colin Burstead (out Mar 12) follows a dysfunctional family that reluctantly come together for a New Years Eve celebration. There are too many characters and it lacks a big climax but there's still amusement in watching these characters air their many grievances. Grade: B-.

Queen & Slim (out Mar 12) is a tale of crime, grief and morality… that begins with a Tinder date. The film is pushing its themes too hard and there are some weird creative choices (e.g. a sex-scene interwoven with a riot) but the distinctive cinematography and great lead performances from Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith won me over. Grade: B+.

The Way Back (out Mar 5) is the tale of a struggling, middle-aged alcoholic (Ben Affleck) who reluctantly takes on the role of a high school basketball coach. I like the not-so-orthodox approach (e.g. the change of focus in the final half-hour) and the authenticity of the characters. Grade: B+.

Downhill (out Mar 5) is a vastly inferior remake to the 2014 Swedish release Force Majeure. It’s a boring, hollow, simplistic movie that lacks the nuance and darkness that made the original so great. Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus have been miscast and Miranda Otto looks like she's been borrowed from a Saturday Night Live sketch. A waste. Grade: C-.

Honeyland (out Mar 5) is a Macedonian documentary that takes us inside the world of a passionate beekeeper (she's such a cool character) struggling to keep her small business afloat in an increasingly corporate world. The crew deserve praise for their fly-on-the-wall approach which captures the drama so powerfully without the need for narration. Strong stuff. Grade: A-.

Escape and Evasion (out Mar 5) is an Australian drama about a soldier coming to grips with a mission gone bad. Lead actor Josh McConville does a stellar job illustrating the effects of post traumatic stress disorder but the screenplay isn't as strong as it could be (there's an odd plot device involving an inquisitive journalist). Grade: B-.

Dark Waters (out Feb 27) follows in the footsteps of A Civil Action and Erin Brockovich and is the true story of an environmental lawyer who takes on a major American company on behalf of a small client. The film struggles to juggle its many characters and themes but it's still an important film about the dangers of self-regulation. Grade: B.