The Daughter (out Mar 17) is set in a small, struggling Australian town and features a group of characters who are about to pull major skeletons from the cupboard. These characters have to suffer a heavy emotional toll and thanks to some outstanding performances, those same feelings will resonate with audiences. Grade: B+.

10 Cloverfield Lane (out Mar 10) has been shrouded in secrecy with almost no details released about the plot. I think that’s part of the reason I liked the film so much. There are unexpected twists, surprising turns, and you'll have no idea what is going to happen from scene-to-scene. Will frustrate some but it held my attention throughout. Grade: A-.

Grimsby (out Mar 10) is the latest from Sacha Baron Cohen. He shocks with references to paedophiles, rapists and sex offenders. He repulses with references to excrement and other bodily fluids. The jokes are distasteful and the story is weak but many will find it hard to maintain a straight face. There are laughs on offer here. Grade: B-.

The Lady In The Van (out Mar 3) is a curious true story about a mysterious old woman and a writer looking for inspiration. The trailer suggests its largely comedic but there's a more serious undertone that will move audiences. Grade: B+.

Triple 9 (out Mar 3) is a complex story with simplistic characters. The two don’t go together. The wife of an imprisoned mobster enlists a group of criminals to help obtain evidence that could clear his name. The film is sketchy when it comes to their backgrounds and motivations. It's lacking in tension when it needs it most. Grade: C+.

The Finest Hours (out Feb 25) is set in 1952 and recounts the true tale of a large oil tanker that struck trouble in a severe storm off the coast of Massachusetts. This may be a powerful true story but for some odd reason, the three-man screenwriting team have packed it with distracting, unnecessary clichés. It’s oversimplified and lacking in tension. Grade: C+.

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (out Feb 25) sounds fun on paper but this spoof has only has a few jokes that hit the mark. Knowledge of Jane Austen's classic novel will help you get some of the more obscure references. Grade: C+.

Son Of Saul (out Feb 25) looks at the Holocaust through the eyes of a Hungarian prisoner working at Auschwitz. With its distinctive cinematography and unorthodox narrative, it is a World War II film that will leave an impression. Grade: B+.

Noma: My Perfect Storm (out Feb 25) is a documentary about a chef who started from small beginnings and created a world renowned restaurant in Copenhagen. It's very repetitive and it struggles to make the most of its subjects and their backstories. Grade: C+.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (out Feb 25) depicts a true story (a departure from director Michael Day). The year is 2012, the setting is Libya, and the heroes are private military contractors from the United States. It's hard to knock the film's spirit and intent but it's very light when it comes to the "bigger picture" of the war itself. Grade: B-.