Unbroken (out Jan 15) tells the true story of Louis Zamperini - an American soldier who was imprisoned by the Japanese during World War II. Most war dramas feature epic gun fights or heroic rescues. This is about something quite different – the power of human endurance. Directed by Angelina Jolie and starring British newcomer Jack O'Connell, Unbroken is tough to watch but also hugely inspiring. Grade: A-.

Dumb & Dumber To (out Jan 8) is a sequel to the popular 1994 comedy. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play two fools with single digit IQs who find themselves caught up in another bizarre caper. It's silly, harmless fun... but there aren't enough good jokes (or subplots) to drag this out beyond the opening 30 minutes. Grade: C.

Taken 3 (out Jan 8) is the final instalment in this successful franchise and is a standard, over-edited conspiracy thriller that adds little to the previous two films. Forest Whitaker shines as a sharp police detective but that's the only positive that comes to mind. Needed to take itself a lot less seriously (ala John Wick). Grade: C+.

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-.