Black Mass (out Oct 8) chronicles the rise of organized crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger in Boston during the 1970s and 1980s. It's a truth is stranger than fiction tale - evidenced by Whitey's relationship with the FBI. A few parts feel over simplified but Johnny Depp's great lead performance (you almost forget it's Depp) makes this a compelling film. Grade: B+.

Learning To Drive (out Oct 8) brings together two unlikely characters in need of each other. Darwan (Ben Kingsley) is an Indian-born American who works two jobs to make ends meet. Wendy (Patricia Clarkson) is a renowned book critic in need of driving lessons. It's a film that feels insignificant. There are glimpses of promise but we never get to know the characters well enough to care for them. Grade: C+.

The Intern (out Oct 1) is the story of a widowed 70-year-old (Robert DeNiro) who gets an internship for a fast growing online clothing company and befriends their workaholic CEO (Anne Hathaway). There are a few silly missteps (e.g. the deleted email) but this is a warm hearted comedy/drama. DeNiro steals every scene as the calm, level headed "senior" looking for a fresh start. Grade: B+.

The Martian (out Oct 1) is offering light entertainment (e.g. Independence Day) as opposed to an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller (e.g. Gravity). That’s not necessarily a bad thing… but I was expecting something with a bigger emotional punch given the premise. Matt Damon stars as an astronaut trapped on Mars who has to work with NASA to find a way home. Grade: B-.

Macbeth (out Oct 1) is known as being one of Shakespeare's darkest works and this adaptation from Australian director Justin Kurzel fits that same definition. The story has been told countless times before but the stunning visuals (which could be described as both bleak and beautiful) make it a film to remember. Those new to the tale may struggle with the Shakespearean dialogue. Grade: B+.

London Road (out Sep 24) may work as a stage musical but this film adaptation is forgettable. The songs aren't catchy and the premise is wafer thin. It's based on actual events and follows a group of English residents coming to terms with a series of murders in their neighbourhood. Grade: C.

Sicario (out Sep 24) is a stylishly shot thriller about a group of "law enforcement" agents who start acting outside of the law in pursuit of a greater good - bringing down the head of a Mexican drug cartel. Deftly illustrating the blurry line between right and wrong, this is great stuff. Super performances from Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin. Grade: A-.

The Diary Of A Teenage Girl (out Sep 24) is riveting, disturbing and thought-provoking. Based on the graphic novel and set in the 1970s, it's centered on a 15-year-old girl who enters into a purely sexual relationship with her mother's 35-year-old boyfriend. Not often you see a film that asks so many questions of its characters. Grade: A.

Pan (out Sep 24) is yet another film based on J.M. Barrie's famous play/novel. English director Joe Wright (Atonement) and American screenwriter Jason Fuchs have tried to put a fresh spin on Barrie’s material by creating a prequel. Wright’s over-the-top use of colour in Neverland gives the film an impressive visual style that should charm young audiences. There's not as much on offer for adults. Grade: B.

The Visit (out Sep 24) is told from the perspective of two teenagers who are staying with their grandparents for a week while their mother goes on a well-overdue holiday. From director M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), the film has the appearance of a scary thriller but it’s surprisingly comedic. The ending will divide audiences there's enough intrigue to make it worth watching. Grade: B.