David Stratton: A Cinematic Life (out Mar 9) chronicles the life of Australia's most famous critic and looks at his favourite films. Directed by Sally Aitken, this documentary is clever in the way it links the plots of Australian movies with key parts of David's life. Grade: B.

Alone in Berlin (out Mar 9) is the true story of two ordinary Germans who covertly tried to create anti-Hitler sentiment during World War II. It's an interesting story but what we see on screen is a touch bland and repetitive. Didn't hit the emotional notes I was expecting. Grade: B-.

Before I Fall (out Mar 2) is a darker version of Groundhog Day. A girl finds herself stuck living the same day again and again. The early intrigue wears off in the second half and it becomes a simple, fairly formulaic thriller. Grade: B-.

Rings (out Feb 23) is a weak follow up to the original horror films from 2002 and 2005. It does little to advance the earlier premise - a group of people who watch a bizarre video tape end up being killed in odd circumstances. Grade: C.

Miss Sloane (out Mar 2) features a great leading performance from Jessica Chastain but it's a political thriller that lacks subtlety and doesn't feel an honest reflection of reality. Chastain plays a powerful lobbyist working with U.S. Senators to pass important gun control legislation. Grade: B-.

Jasper Jones (out Mar 2) is set in 1969 and is an Aussie coming-of-age tale. 14-year-old Levi Miller is terrific as the shy, awkward teenager who is trying to come to grips with his quickly changing world. Not afraid to challenge audiences with its content, this is a worthy adaptation of Craig Silvey's award-winning novel. Grade: B+.

Logan (out Mar 2) is the anti-Deadpool. Instead of a lightweight comedy spoof, this is a violent, heavy, serious superhero flick that we haven’t seen too often before. I was hoping for more substance to the story (the villain is a bit silly) but Logan still works as a great character study about a tired man who has had enough. Grade: B+.

Fist Fight (out Feb 23) is a comedy that runs out of steam after about 30 minutes. Ice Cube and Charlie Day play two teachers on a collision course with each other after a crazy end to the school year. The splattering of ideas upon which this film is based do not come together well. Grade: C+.

Trespass Against Us (out Feb 16) is a disappointingly dull British drama about a middle aged man trying to escape his father's criminal ways. Grade: C.

T2: Trainspotting 2 (out Feb 23) is a sequel to the iconic 1996 original from director Danny Boyle. While it’s great to catch up with these eclectic characters, the screenplay is slight. Knowledge of the original film isn’t essential but it would be a helpful prerequisite. Grade: B-.