Freaky (out Nov 12) is a horror-comedy about a vicious serial killer (Vince Vaughn) who swaps bodies with one of his intended victims, a high school senior (Kathryn Newton). Vaughn wins laughs impersonating a teenage girl but the script doesn't make enough of the cool concept. There are poorly fleshed out subplots (e.g. an alcoholic mother) the finale is weak, formulaic. Grade: C+.

The Comeback Trail (out Nov 12) is the story of a penniless movie producer (Robert DeNiro) who tries to kill off the lead actor (Tommy Lee Jones) in his latest film for a juicy insurance payout. I like the concept but it feels like audiences are one step ahead of the filmmakers here. It's too predictable and simplistic. Grade: C+.

Radioactive (out Nov 5) is based on the graphic novel from Lauren Redniss and delves into the life and impact of Marie Curie (played by Rosamund Pike). I was disappointed. It feels like a film made for 10-year-olds with everything forced and over-explained. The dialogue is stiff and the glimpses into the future (e.g. Hiroshima) add nothing. Grade: C.

Brazen Hussies (out Nov 5) is an interesting documentary that looks at the movement for women's rights in Australia between 1965 and 1975. It covers a lot of material inside 90 minutes and is an important reminder of how much has changed and the people who deserve the credit. Grade: B+.

The Craft: Legacy (out Oct 29) is a sequel to the 1996 original and follows four teenage witches who cause mischief at their high school. There are some half-decent themes here but director Zoe Lister-Jones struggles to bring it all together into something flowing and coherent. Grade: B-.

Rams (out Oct 29) is an Australian remake of a 2015 Icelandic film and is the tale of two estranged brothers and the goings-on at their farms in Western Australia. I think the Icelandic version did a better job fleshing out the themes and characters but I still like this story. Grade: B.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (out Oct 29) is the story of a 17-year-old girl who, accompanied by her cousin, travels from Pennsylvania to New York to have an abortion. This is a powerful, complex, emotional drama that takes us inside the world of a scared, anxious individual. One of the year's best. Sensational performances. Grade: A.

The Mystery of Henri Pick (out Oct 29) is a fun French mystery about a book critic looking into the origins of an acclaimed novel published posthumously by an unknown author. An intriguing tale. Grade: B+.

Never Too Late (out Oct 22) is a weak Australian comedy about a group of elderly men who escape from an aged care facility for the purpose of uniting one with an old love. You'd be hard pressed to find a more fake, contrived film this year. Grade: C-.

Honest Thief (out Oct 22) is a nonsensical thriller about a bank robber who has stolen roughly $9 million across his lifetime... and then decides to turn himself in because he's fallen in love. Unfortunately, he must deal with some corrupt cops first. It's mildly entertaining (switch your brain off at the door) but I'd prefer to see star Liam Neeson in a role with more complexity. Grade: B-.