Into The Woods (out Jan 8) is a big screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim 1980s musical. It mashes together several famous fairy tales and humorously shows that not everyone deserves to live "happily ever after". The casting is great, the voices are clear, and the plot is easy to follow. It's just a shame the film doesn't push its darker tones more strongly in the final act. Grade: B+.

The Imitation Game (out 1) tells the story of Alan Turing - an English codebreaker who made an invaluable contribution to the Allies efforts during World War II. It's an interesting tale with some powerful elements. However, the film is loose with its facts and makes an odd decision to downplay Turing's sexuality. Grade: B.

Penguins Of Madagascar (out Jan 1) is a spin-off from the popular Madagascar series and follows four heroic penguins who try to defeat a villainous octopus who is out to destroy their species. There are a few nice jokes for the adults but the story is a bit too "busy" for the kids. It also lacks many of the endearing characters (Alex, Marty, Manny) that have made this franchise so likable. Grade: B-.

Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb (out Dec 26) is trying to prolong this successful franchise but it's a tired-looking film with a weak plot and no new ideas. The humour also feels amiss and I suspect most jokes will be beyond the reach of younger audiences. Grade: C+.

Big Hero 6 (out Dec 26) is an animated feature centred around the adventures of a super-intelligent kid and a cute, hug-able robot. The story gets a bit too complex in the later stages but the characters are fun and this looks like the start of what could be an Avengers-style superhero series targeted as kids. Grade: B+.

Mr Turner (out Dec 26) follows the life of 19th Century British painter J.M.W. Turner whose work divided the art community. Star Timothy Spall has been showered with praise this awards season but I'm not sure why. I found this to be a slow, dreary, fragmented drama that didn't provide me with much insight into Turner's apparent brilliance. Grade: C+.

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies (out Dec 26) is action, action, action with a splatter of dialogue in between. At 2.5 hours, there are lengthy chunks that feel tired and repetitive. The visuals and special effects are impressive but to be frank, I'm glad this trilogy is over. A single film would have been sufficient. Grade: B-.

The Water Diviner (out Dec 26) is set in the aftermath of World War I and centres on a Victorian farmer (Russell Crowe) who travels to Gallipoli to find his three lost sons. It’s a curious piece of history and I was intrigued by the broad subject matter. However, the film has a layer of “spirituality” that borders on science fiction. It's a strange plot device that lessens the film's emotional impact. Grade: B-.

Annie (out Dec 18) is a mess. The songs have been overproduced and the writers have failed miserably in their attempts to take this classic tale, which was originally set in the Great Depression, and adapt it to a current day setting. You'll need thick rose-coloured glasses if you're to like any of these characters. Grade: C-.

St Vincent (out Dec 26) stars Bill Murray as a grumpy old man who drinks, smokes and gambles. He goes through somewhat of a transformation thanks to a shy, insightful kid who has moved in next door. The script is jumbled (some subplots go nowhere) but this poignant mix of comedy and drama will win over most audiences. Grade: B.